Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Reno, NV
VS
Winston-Salem, NC
🏆 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
Winston-Salem
North Carolina
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$54,416
Violent Crime Index
213⚠ High
Population
249,571
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Reno, NV
Pros
35% less violent crime than Winston-Salem
Households earn $18,657 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.2 pts lower (5.0%)
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $462,100
Higher rents — median is $1,360/mo
Violent crime (529.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 11% higher than Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem, NC
Pros
Homes cost $275k less ($187,400 vs $462,100)
Rent averages $404/mo less ($956 vs $1,360)
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Reno
Living costs sit below the national average (index 91.4)
Smaller class sizes — 14.2:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Reno by $18,657/yr
Violent crime (809.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2921.2/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.2% vs 5.0%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Reno
Median Income
$18,657
$73,073 vs $54,416/yr
Reno
Violent Crime
35% lower
529.6 vs 809.7 per 100k
Reno
Unemployment
1.2 pp lower
5.0% vs 6.2% unemployment
Reno
Summer Heat
4.7°F warmer
July avg high 92.7°F vs 88.0°F
Winston-Salem
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 91.4 vs 102.8 (100 = US avg)
Winston-Salem
Median Home Value
$275k less
$187,400 vs $462,100
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Reno, NV | Winston-Salem, NC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.8⚠ High | 91.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $462,100⚠ High | $187,400 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High | $956 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,073 ✓ Higher | $54,416 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 20.5 min ✓ Shorter | 21.6 min |
| Work From Home % | 9.3% | 10.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 130⚠ High ✓ Safer | 183⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 139⚠ High ✓ Safer | 213⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 116⚠ High ✓ Safer | 139⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (95) | B+ (104) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.0:1 | 14.2:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 35.3% | 35.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 89.6% ✓ Higher | 87.9% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Washoe County | Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 45.8°F | 48.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 92.7°F ✓ Warmer | 88.0°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 9.2" ✓ Drier | 43.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 33.3" | 6.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 265,196 ✓ Larger | 249,571 |
| Median Age | 36.9 ✓ Older | 35.7 |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.3% | 53.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 19.8% | 23.4% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.8% ✓ More | 14.6% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Reno's cost of living index is 102.8 vs Winston-Salem's 91.4 (US average = 100).
Winston-Salem is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Reno leads 12 of 23 categories. Reno wins 12 and Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($462,100 vs $187,400 median home), income ($73,073 vs $54,416), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Reno, NV and Winston-Salem, NC are about 2,156 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.