Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Reno, NV
VS
Rochester, MN
🏆 Rochester leads 15 of 22 categories
Reno
Nevada
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,073
Violent Crime Index
139⚠ High
Population
265,196 ✓ Larger
Rochester
Minnesota
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$83,973 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
41 ✓ Safer
Population
120,848
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Reno, NV
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 46°F vs 23°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $462,100
Violent crime (529.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Rochester by $10,900/yr
Higher rents — median is $1,360/mo
Rochester, MN
Pros
Homes cost $193k less ($268,800 vs $462,100)
71% less violent crime than Reno
Violent crime is well below the national average (154.0 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.3 pts lower (3.7%)
Households earn $10,900 more per year on average
More college-educated — 49.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Snowy winters — about 52" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Reno
Summer Heat
12.4°F warmer
July avg high 92.7°F vs 80.3°F
Rochester
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 93.1 vs 102.8 (100 = US avg)
Rochester
Median Income
$10,900
$83,973 vs $73,073/yr
Rochester
Violent Crime
71% lower
154.0 vs 529.6 per 100k
Rochester
Median Home Value
$193k less
$268,800 vs $462,100
Rochester
Unemployment
1.3 pp lower
3.7% vs 5.0% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Reno, NV | Rochester, MN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.8⚠ High | 93.1 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $462,100⚠ High | $268,800 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High | $1,218 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,073 | $83,973 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0%⚠ High | 3.7% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 20.5 min | 17.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 9.3% | 10.6% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 130⚠ High | 50 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 139⚠ High | 41 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 116⚠ High | 65 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (95) | A- (116) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.0:1 | — |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 35.3% | 49.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 89.6% | 94.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Washoe County | Rochester Public School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 45.8°F ✓ Warmer | 22.5°F |
| Avg High — July | 92.7°F ✓ Warmer | 80.3°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 9.2" ✓ Drier | 37.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 33.3" ✓ Less | 52.3" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 265,196 ✓ Larger | 120,848 |
| Median Age | 36.9 ✓ Older | 36.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.3% | 65.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 19.8% | 23.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.8% ✓ More | 15.7% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Reno's cost of living index is 102.8 vs Rochester's 93.1 (US average = 100).
Rochester is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Rochester leads 15 of 22 categories. Reno wins 7 and Rochester 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 Reno to Rochester or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($462,100 vs $268,800 median home), income ($73,073 vs $83,973), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Reno, NV and Rochester, MN are about 1,437 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.