Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Reno, NV
VS
Torrance, CA
🏆 Torrance leads 13 of 23 categories
Reno
Nevada
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$73,073
Violent Crime Index
139⚠ High
Population
265,196 ✓ Larger
Torrance
California
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$109,554 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
82 ✓ Safer
Population
145,454
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Reno, NV
Pros
Homes cost $500k less ($462,100 vs $962,300)
Rent averages $772/mo less ($1,360 vs $2,132)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
13% cheaper overall cost of living than Torrance
Smaller class sizes — 19.0:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Torrance by $36,481/yr
Violent crime (529.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Torrance, CA
Pros
Households earn $36,481 more per year on average
41% less violent crime than Reno
More college-educated — 52.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 67°F vs 46°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 76°F vs 93°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $962,300
Higher rents — median is $2,132/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Cost of living runs 13% higher than Reno
Key Differences at a Glance
Reno
Cost of Living
13% cheaper
COL index 102.8 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Reno
Median Home Value
$500k less
$462,100 vs $962,300
Reno
Summer Heat
17.1°F warmer
July avg high 92.7°F vs 75.6°F
Torrance
Median Income
$36,481
$109,554 vs $73,073/yr
Torrance
Violent Crime
41% lower
311.2 vs 529.6 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Reno, NV | Torrance, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 115.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $462,100⚠ High ✓ Lower | $962,300⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,132⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,073 | $109,554 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.3%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 20.5 min ✓ Shorter | 27.8 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 9.3% | 15.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 130⚠ High | 102⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 139⚠ High | 82 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 116⚠ High ✓ Safer | 132⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (95) | B+ (107) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 25.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 35.3% | 52.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 89.6% | 95.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Washoe County | Torrance Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 45.8°F | 66.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 92.7°F ✓ Warmer | 75.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 9.2" ✓ Drier | 13.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 33.3" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 265,196 ✓ Larger | 145,454 |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 42.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.3% | 54.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 19.8% | 20.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.8% | 17.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Reno's cost of living index is 102.8 vs Torrance's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Reno is 13% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Torrance leads 13 of 23 categories. Reno wins 10 and Torrance wins 13. 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 Torrance or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($462,100 vs $962,300 median home), income ($73,073 vs $109,554), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Reno, NV and Torrance, CA are about 404 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.