Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Reno, NV
VS
Rialto, CA
🏆 Reno leads 15 of 23 categories
Reno
Nevada
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$73,073
Violent Crime Index
139⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
265,196 ✓ Larger
Rialto
California
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
107.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$80,750 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
169⚠ High
Population
103,873
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Reno, NV
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.3 pts lower (5.0%)
17% less violent crime than Rialto
Commutes run 13 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 35.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Rent averages $193/mo less ($1,360 vs $1,553)
5% cheaper overall cost of living than Rialto
Cons
Violent crime (529.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Rialto by $7,677/yr
Pricier housing — median home is $462,100
Rialto, CA
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 70°F vs 46°F
Households earn $7,677 more per year on average
Homes cost $44k less ($418,300 vs $462,100)
Cons
Violent crime (641.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,553/mo
Higher unemployment (9.3% vs 5.0%)
Longer commutes — 33.3 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Reno
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 102.8 vs 107.9 (100 = US avg)
Reno
Violent Crime
17% lower
529.6 vs 641.7 per 100k
Reno
Unemployment
4.3 pp lower
5.0% vs 9.3% unemployment
Rialto
Median Income
$7,677
$80,750 vs $73,073/yr
Rialto
Median Home Value
$44k less
$418,300 vs $462,100
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Reno, NV | Rialto, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 107.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $462,100⚠ High | $418,300⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,553⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,073 | $80,750 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 9.3%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 20.5 min ✓ Shorter | 33.3 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 9.3% ✓ Higher | 6.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 130⚠ High ✓ Safer | 147⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 139⚠ High ✓ Safer | 169⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 116⚠ High | 114⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (95) ✓ Better | C (81) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 23.2:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 35.3% ✓ Higher | 12.3% |
| High School or Higher | 89.6% ✓ Higher | 74.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Washoe County | Rialto Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 45.8°F | 69.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 92.7°F | 94.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 9.2" ✓ Drier | 17.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 33.3" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 265,196 ✓ Larger | 103,873 |
| Median Age | 36.9 ✓ Older | 31.2 |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.3% | 62.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 19.8% | 27.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.8% ✓ More | 9.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Reno's cost of living index is 102.8 vs Rialto's 107.9 (US average = 100).
Reno is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Reno leads 15 of 23 categories. Reno wins 15 and Rialto wins 8. 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 Reno to Rialto or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($462,100 vs $418,300 median home), income ($73,073 vs $80,750), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Reno, NV and Rialto, CA are about 399 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.