Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Reno, NV
VS
San Bernardino, CA
🏆 Reno leads 16 of 23 categories
Reno
Nevada
16
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
San Bernardino
California
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
107.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$61,323
Violent Crime Index
236⚠ High
Population
221,041
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Reno, NV
Pros
41% less violent crime than San Bernardino
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.6 pts lower (5.0%)
More college-educated — 35.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $11,750 more per year on average
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
5% cheaper overall cost of living than San Bernardino
Cons
Violent crime (529.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $462,100
San Bernardino, CA
Pros
Homes cost $115k less ($347,100 vs $462,100)
Milder winters — January highs near 67°F vs 46°F
Cons
Violent crime (897.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Reno by $11,750/yr
Property crime (2897.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.6% vs 5.0%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Reno
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 102.8 vs 107.9 (100 = US avg)
Reno
Median Income
$11,750
$73,073 vs $61,323/yr
Reno
Violent Crime
41% lower
529.6 vs 897.1 per 100k
Reno
Unemployment
2.6 pp lower
5.0% vs 7.6% unemployment
San Bernardino
Median Home Value
$115k less
$347,100 vs $462,100
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Reno, NV | San Bernardino, 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 | $347,100⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High | $1,319 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,073 ✓ Higher | $61,323 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 20.5 min ✓ Shorter | 28.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 9.3% ✓ Higher | 5.1% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 130⚠ High ✓ Safer | 197⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 139⚠ High ✓ Safer | 236⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 116⚠ High ✓ Safer | 138⚠ High |
| 🎓 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 | 20.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 35.3% ✓ Higher | 12.8% |
| High School or Higher | 89.6% ✓ Higher | 72.5% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Washoe County | San Bernardino City Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 45.8°F | 66.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 92.7°F | 95.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 9.2" ✓ Drier | 21.6" |
| Annual Snowfall | 33.3" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 265,196 ✓ Larger | 221,041 |
| Median Age | 36.9 ✓ Older | 31.2 |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.3% | 48.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 19.8% | 27.9% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.8% ✓ More | 9.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Reno's cost of living index is 102.8 vs San Bernardino's 107.9 (US average = 100).
Reno is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Reno leads 16 of 23 categories. Reno wins 16 and San Bernardino wins 7. 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 Bernardino or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($462,100 vs $347,100 median home), income ($73,073 vs $61,323), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Reno, NV and San Bernardino, CA are about 399 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.