Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Las Vegas, NV
VS
Reno, NV
🏆 Las Vegas leads 14 of 23 categories
Las Vegas
Nevada
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
101.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$66,356
Violent Crime Index
113⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
644,835 ✓ Larger
Reno
Nevada
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,073 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
139⚠ High
Population
265,196
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Las Vegas, NV
Pros
19% less violent crime than Reno
Homes cost $97k less ($365,300 vs $462,100)
Milder winters — January highs near 58°F vs 46°F
Cons
Property crime (2622.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.4% vs 5.0%)
Median income trails Reno by $6,717/yr
Hot summers — July highs average 104°F
Reno, NV
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.4 pts lower (5.0%)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 35.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $6,717 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 93°F vs 104°F
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
Las Vegas
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 101.6 vs 102.8 (100 = US avg)
Las Vegas
Violent Crime
19% lower
429.8 vs 529.6 per 100k
Las Vegas
Median Home Value
$97k less
$365,300 vs $462,100
Las Vegas
Summer Heat
11.1°F warmer
July avg high 103.8°F vs 92.7°F
Reno
Median Income
$6,717
$73,073 vs $66,356/yr
Reno
Unemployment
2.4 pp lower
5.0% vs 7.4% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Reno, NV |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 101.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 102.8⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $365,300⚠ High ✓ Lower | $462,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,356⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,360⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $66,356 | $73,073 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4%⚠ High | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.9 min | 20.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 9.1% | 9.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 118⚠ High ✓ Safer | 130⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 113⚠ High ✓ Safer | 139⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 125⚠ High | 116⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) | B- (95) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 18.3:1 ✓ Smaller | 19.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.3% | 35.3% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 85.6% | 89.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Clark County | Washoe County |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.0°F ✓ Warmer | 45.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 103.8°F ✓ Warmer | 92.7°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 6.1" ✓ Drier | 9.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 33.3" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 644,835 ✓ Larger | 265,196 |
| Median Age | 38.1 ✓ Older | 36.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% ✓ Higher | 48.3% |
| Under 18 | 22.9% ✓ More | 19.8% |
| Over 65 | 15.3% | 15.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Las Vegas's cost of living index is 101.6 vs Reno's 102.8 (US average = 100).
Las Vegas is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Las Vegas leads 14 of 23 categories. Las Vegas wins 14 and Reno wins 9. 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 Las Vegas to Reno or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($365,300 vs $462,100 median home), income ($66,356 vs $73,073), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Las Vegas, NV and Reno, NV are about 339 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.