Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Reno, NV
VS
Worcester, MA
🏆 Reno leads 15 of 21 categories
Reno
Nevada
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$73,073 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
139⚠ High
Population
265,196 ✓ Larger
Worcester
Massachusetts
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$63,011
Violent Crime Index
4 ✓ Safer
Population
204,191
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Reno, NV
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.6 pts lower (5.0%)
Households earn $10,062 more per year on average
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 46°F vs 32°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $462,100
Violent crime (529.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Worcester, MA
Pros
97% less violent crime than Reno
Homes cost $157k less ($305,600 vs $462,100)
Violent crime is well below the national average (16.5 vs 380/100k)
Cooler summers — July highs near 80°F vs 93°F
Smaller class sizes — 13.0:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Reno by $10,062/yr
Higher unemployment (6.6% vs 5.0%)
Snowy winters — about 73" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Reno
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 102.8 vs 103.8 (100 = US avg)
Reno
Median Income
$10,062
$73,073 vs $63,011/yr
Reno
Unemployment
1.6 pp lower
5.0% vs 6.6% unemployment
Reno
Summer Heat
12.9°F warmer
July avg high 92.7°F vs 79.8°F
Worcester
Violent Crime
97% lower
16.5 vs 529.6 per 100k
Worcester
Median Home Value
$157k less
$305,600 vs $462,100
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Reno, NV | Worcester, MA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 103.8⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $462,100⚠ High | $305,600⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High | $1,312 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,073 ✓ Higher | $63,011 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 20.5 min ✓ Shorter | 24.4 min |
| Work From Home % | 9.3% | 9.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 130⚠ High | — |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 139⚠ High | 4 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 116⚠ High | — |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (95) | B+ (106) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.0:1 | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 35.3% ✓ Higher | 33.1% |
| High School or Higher | 89.6% ✓ Higher | 85.9% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Washoe County | Worcester |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 45.8°F ✓ Warmer | 32.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 92.7°F ✓ Warmer | 79.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 9.2" ✓ Drier | 48.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 33.3" ✓ Less | 72.9" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 265,196 ✓ Larger | 204,191 |
| Median Age | 36.9 ✓ Older | 34.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.3% ✓ Higher | 42.1% |
| Under 18 | 19.8% ✓ More | 19.5% |
| Over 65 | 15.8% ✓ More | 13.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Reno's cost of living index is 102.8 vs Worcester's 103.8 (US average = 100).
Reno is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 21 decided categories above, Reno leads 15 of 21 categories. Reno wins 15 and Worcester wins 6. 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 Worcester or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($462,100 vs $305,600 median home), income ($73,073 vs $63,011), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Reno, NV and Worcester, MA are about 2,482 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.