Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Reno, NV
VS
Trenton, NJ
🏆 Reno leads 16 of 23 categories
Reno
Nevada
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,073 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
139⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
265,196 ✓ Larger
Trenton
New Jersey
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.1⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$44,444
Violent Crime Index
270⚠ High
Population
90,055
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Reno, NV
Pros
Households earn $28,629 more per year on average
48% less violent crime than Trenton
Stronger job market — unemployment is 5.2 pts lower (5.0%)
More college-educated — 35.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 46°F vs 40°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
Trenton, NJ
Pros
Homes cost $351k less ($111,200 vs $462,100)
Rent averages $183/mo less ($1,177 vs $1,360)
Cooler summers — July highs near 87°F vs 93°F
Smaller class sizes — 16.1:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Reno by $28,629/yr
Violent crime (1025.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (10.2% vs 5.0%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Reno
Median Income
$28,629
$73,073 vs $44,444/yr
Reno
Violent Crime
48% lower
529.6 vs 1025.9 per 100k
Reno
Unemployment
5.2 pp lower
5.0% vs 10.2% unemployment
Reno
Summer Heat
6.2°F warmer
July avg high 92.7°F vs 86.5°F
Trenton
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 102.1 vs 102.8 (100 = US avg)
Trenton
Median Home Value
$351k less
$111,200 vs $462,100
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Reno, NV | Trenton, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.8⚠ High | 102.1⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $462,100⚠ High | $111,200 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High | $1,177 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,073 ✓ Higher | $44,444 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 10.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 20.5 min ✓ Shorter | 26.2 min |
| Work From Home % | 9.3% ✓ Higher | 5.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 130⚠ High ✓ Safer | 206⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 139⚠ High ✓ Safer | 270⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 116⚠ High | 109⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (95) ✓ Better | C (75) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.0:1 | 16.1:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 35.3% ✓ Higher | 15.6% |
| High School or Higher | 89.6% ✓ Higher | 76.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Washoe County | Trenton Public School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 45.8°F ✓ Warmer | 39.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 92.7°F ✓ Warmer | 86.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 9.2" ✓ Drier | 47.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 33.3" | 26.6" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 265,196 ✓ Larger | 90,055 |
| Median Age | 36.9 ✓ Older | 35.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.3% ✓ Higher | 38.3% |
| Under 18 | 19.8% | 25.9% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.8% ✓ More | 12.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Reno's cost of living index is 102.8 vs Trenton's 102.1 (US average = 100).
Trenton is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Reno leads 16 of 23 categories. Reno wins 16 and Trenton 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 Trenton or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($462,100 vs $111,200 median home), income ($73,073 vs $44,444), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Reno, NV and Trenton, NJ are about 2,365 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.