Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Reno, NV
VS
Spokane, WA
🏆 Reno leads 12 of 23 categories
Reno
Nevada
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,073 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
139⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
265,196 ✓ Larger
Spokane
Washington
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
101.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$63,316
Violent Crime Index
178⚠ High
Population
227,922
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Reno, NV
Pros
22% less violent crime than Spokane
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.2 pts lower (5.0%)
Households earn $9,757 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 46°F vs 38°F
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
Spokane, WA
Pros
Homes cost $175k less ($286,900 vs $462,100)
Rent averages $300/mo less ($1,060 vs $1,360)
Cooler summers — July highs near 87°F vs 93°F
Smaller class sizes — 14.8:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (674.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Reno by $9,757/yr
Property crime (4840.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.2% vs 5.0%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Reno
Median Income
$9,757
$73,073 vs $63,316/yr
Reno
Violent Crime
22% lower
529.6 vs 674.9 per 100k
Reno
Unemployment
1.2 pp lower
5.0% vs 6.2% unemployment
Reno
Summer Heat
5.6°F warmer
July avg high 92.7°F vs 87.1°F
Spokane
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 101.0 vs 102.8 (100 = US avg)
Spokane
Median Home Value
$175k less
$286,900 vs $462,100
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Reno, NV | Spokane, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.8⚠ High | 101.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $462,100⚠ High | $286,900 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High | $1,060 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,073 ✓ Higher | $63,316 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 20.5 min ✓ Shorter | 20.7 min |
| Work From Home % | 9.3% | 12.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 130⚠ High ✓ Safer | 199⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 139⚠ High ✓ Safer | 178⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 116⚠ High ✓ Safer | 231⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (95) | B (101) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.0:1 | 14.8:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 35.3% ✓ Higher | 32.7% |
| High School or Higher | 89.6% | 93.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Washoe County | Spokane School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 45.8°F ✓ Warmer | 37.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 92.7°F ✓ Warmer | 87.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 9.2" ✓ Drier | 17.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 33.3" ✓ Less | 45.4" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 265,196 ✓ Larger | 227,922 |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 37.0 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.3% | 57.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 19.8% | 20.3% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.8% | 16.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Reno's cost of living index is 102.8 vs Spokane's 101.0 (US average = 100).
Spokane is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Reno leads 12 of 23 categories. Reno wins 12 and Spokane wins 11. 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 Spokane or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($462,100 vs $286,900 median home), income ($73,073 vs $63,316), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Reno, NV and Spokane, WA are about 574 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.