Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Reno, NV
VS
Wilmington, NC
🏆 Wilmington leads 15 of 23 categories
Reno
Nevada
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,073 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
139⚠ High
Population
265,196 ✓ Larger
Wilmington
North Carolina
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$58,908
Violent Crime Index
127⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
116,933
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Reno, NV
Pros
Households earn $14,165 more per year on average
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 6% higher than Wilmington
Wilmington, NC
Pros
Homes cost $144k less ($318,600 vs $462,100)
9% less violent crime than Reno
Rent averages $147/mo less ($1,213 vs $1,360)
More college-educated — 43.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 57°F vs 46°F
6% cheaper overall cost of living than Reno
Cons
Violent crime (482.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Reno by $14,165/yr
Property crime (3514.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Reno
Median Income
$14,165
$73,073 vs $58,908/yr
Wilmington
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 97.1 vs 102.8 (100 = US avg)
Wilmington
Violent Crime
9% lower
482.8 vs 529.6 per 100k
Wilmington
Median Home Value
$144k less
$318,600 vs $462,100
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Reno, NV | Wilmington, NC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.8⚠ High | 97.1 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $462,100⚠ High | $318,600⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High | $1,213 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,073 ✓ Higher | $58,908 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0%⚠ High | 4.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 20.5 min | 18.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 9.3% | 14.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 130⚠ High ✓ Safer | 143⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 139⚠ High | 127⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 116⚠ High ✓ Safer | 167⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (95) | B+ (109) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.0:1 | 15.2:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 35.3% | 43.6% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 89.6% | 93.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Washoe County | New Hanover County Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 45.8°F | 57.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 92.7°F ✓ Warmer | 90.0°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 9.2" ✓ Drier | 60.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 33.3" | 0.9" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 265,196 ✓ Larger | 116,933 |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 37.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.3% ✓ Higher | 45.9% |
| Under 18 | 19.8% ✓ More | 16.8% |
| Over 65 | 15.8% | 17.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Reno's cost of living index is 102.8 vs Wilmington's 97.1 (US average = 100).
Wilmington is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Wilmington leads 15 of 23 categories. Reno wins 8 and Wilmington wins 15. 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 Wilmington or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($462,100 vs $318,600 median home), income ($73,073 vs $58,908), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Reno, NV and Wilmington, NC are about 2,327 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.