Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Reno, NV
VS
San Antonio, TX
🏆 San Antonio leads 12 of 23 categories
Reno
Nevada
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,073 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
139⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
265,196
San Antonio
Texas
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.7 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,593
Violent Crime Index
156⚠ High
Population
1,445,662 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Reno, NV
Pros
11% less violent crime than San Antonio
Households earn $13,480 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.9 pts lower (5.0%)
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 35.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $462,100
Violent crime (529.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,360/mo
Cost of living runs 9% higher than San Antonio
San Antonio, TX
Pros
Homes cost $264k less ($198,000 vs $462,100)
Rent averages $171/mo less ($1,189 vs $1,360)
Milder winters — January highs near 63°F vs 46°F
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Reno
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.7)
Smaller class sizes — 14.2:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (594.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Reno by $13,480/yr
Property crime (4623.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (5.9% vs 5.0%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Reno
Median Income
$13,480
$73,073 vs $59,593/yr
Reno
Violent Crime
11% lower
529.6 vs 594.1 per 100k
Reno
Unemployment
0.9 pp lower
5.0% vs 5.9% unemployment
San Antonio
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 93.7 vs 102.8 (100 = US avg)
San Antonio
Median Home Value
$264k less
$198,000 vs $462,100
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Reno, NV | San Antonio, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.8⚠ High | 93.7 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $462,100⚠ High | $198,000 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High | $1,189 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,073 ✓ Higher | $59,593 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 20.5 min ✓ Shorter | 24.5 min |
| Work From Home % | 9.3% | 9.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 130⚠ High ✓ Safer | 182⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 139⚠ High ✓ Safer | 156⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 116⚠ High ✓ Safer | 220⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (95) | B (97) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.0:1 | 14.2:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 35.3% ✓ Higher | 27.7% |
| High School or Higher | 89.6% ✓ Higher | 83.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Washoe County | NORTHSIDE ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 45.8°F | 63.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 92.7°F | 94.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 9.2" ✓ Drier | 34.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 33.3" | 0.1" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 265,196 | 1,445,662 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 36.9 ✓ Older | 34.1 |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.3% | 51.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 19.8% | 24.1% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.8% ✓ More | 12.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Reno's cost of living index is 102.8 vs San Antonio's 93.7 (US average = 100).
San Antonio is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, San Antonio leads 12 of 23 categories. Reno wins 11 and San Antonio wins 12. 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 San Antonio or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($462,100 vs $198,000 median home), income ($73,073 vs $59,593), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Reno, NV and San Antonio, TX are about 1,395 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.