Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lancaster, CA
VS
Reno, NV
🏆 Reno leads 15 of 23 categories
Lancaster
California
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$71,367
Violent Crime Index
220⚠ High
Population
171,465
Reno
Nevada
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$73,073 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
139⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
265,196 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lancaster, CA
Pros
Homes cost $93k less ($368,800 vs $462,100)
Milder winters — January highs near 59°F vs 46°F
Cons
Violent crime (834.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Higher rents — median is $1,576/mo
Cost of living runs 13% higher than Reno
Reno, NV
Pros
37% less violent crime than Lancaster
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.5 pts lower (5.0%)
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
Rent averages $216/mo less ($1,360 vs $1,576)
More college-educated — 35.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
13% cheaper overall cost of living than Lancaster
Cons
Violent crime (529.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $462,100
Key Differences at a Glance
Lancaster
Median Home Value
$93k less
$368,800 vs $462,100
Lancaster
Summer Heat
4.9°F warmer
July avg high 97.6°F vs 92.7°F
Reno
Cost of Living
13% cheaper
COL index 102.8 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Reno
Median Income
$1,706
$73,073 vs $71,367/yr
Reno
Violent Crime
37% lower
529.6 vs 834.7 per 100k
Reno
Unemployment
2.5 pp lower
5.0% vs 7.5% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Reno, NV |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 115.5⚠ High | 102.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $368,800⚠ High ✓ Lower | $462,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,576⚠ High | $1,360⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $71,367 | $73,073 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.5%⚠ High | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 30.9 min⚠ High | 20.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 8.6% | 9.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 168⚠ High | 130⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 220⚠ High | 139⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 91 ✓ Safer | 116⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (63) | B- (95) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 22.6:1 | 19.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 19.4% | 35.3% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.2% | 89.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lancaster Elementary | Washoe County |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.7°F ✓ Warmer | 45.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 97.6°F ✓ Warmer | 92.7°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 6.8" ✓ Drier | 9.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 33.3" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 171,465 | 265,196 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 36.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% ✓ Higher | 48.3% |
| Under 18 | 27.8% ✓ More | 19.8% |
| Over 65 | 11.2% | 15.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lancaster's cost of living index is 115.5 vs Reno's 102.8 (US average = 100).
Reno is 13% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Reno leads 15 of 23 categories. Lancaster wins 8 and Reno wins 15. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Lancaster to Reno or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($368,800 vs $462,100 median home), income ($71,367 vs $73,073), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lancaster, CA and Reno, NV are about 348 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.