City comparison
Yes. Anaheim's crime index is 143 versus 151 in Reno, and its violent crime index is 165 versus 156, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Reno is cheaper. Median rent is $1,556 a month versus $2,175 in Anaheim.
The cost gap between Anaheim and Reno is the real story here. Reno comes in 28% cheaper on typical rent ($2,175 vs $1,556), which over a year adds up to $7,428. Median household income runs $95,227 in Anaheim and $80,760 in Reno.
Anaheim is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Reno makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Anaheim is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Reno at $1,556 average has pockets that run $1,356 and others at $1,956: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Anaheim and Reno are 407 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,175 a month in Anaheim to $1,556 a month in Reno, down $619 a month (28%).
Median household income goes from $95,227 in Anaheim to $80,760 in Reno, down $14,467 (15%).
The crime index goes from 143 in Anaheim to 151 in Reno, up 8 points (6%).
The move
Reno and Anaheim are 407 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,556 a month in Reno to $2,175 a month in Anaheim, up $619 a month (40%).
Median household income goes from $80,760 in Reno to $95,227 in Anaheim, up $14,467 (18%).
The crime index goes from 151 in Reno to 143 in Anaheim, down 8 points (5%).
Anaheim, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Reno, NV
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Anaheim and Reno? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
28% cheaper
Reno rent is 28% cheaper than Anaheim
Anaheim
$2,175/mo
Reno
Winner$1,556/mo
Typical rent runs $1,556 a month in Reno versus $2,175 in Anaheim, so Reno is 28% cheaper. That's roughly $619/month back in your pocket ($7,428/year). Over five years that's $37,140 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Anaheim, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Reno is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Anaheim? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
18% higher
Anaheim's median income is 18% higher than Reno
Anaheim
Winner$95,227
Reno
$80,760
Median household income is $95,227 in Anaheim versus $80,760 in Reno, so typical pay runs 18% higher in Anaheim (about $14,467 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Anaheim is the stronger labor market on paper. Reno can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
5% lower crime
Anaheim's crime index is 5% lower than Reno
Anaheim
Winner143 (100 = avg)
Reno
151 (100 = avg)
Anaheim's crime index is 143 versus 151 in Reno (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 5% lower in Anaheim. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Anaheim, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Reno. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
9% more comfortable
Anaheim weather is 9% more comfortable than Reno
Anaheim
Winner76°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Reno
62°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 92/100
Anaheim averages about 76°F (83°F highs); Reno averages about 62°F (71°F highs). Anaheim sits near 76°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Reno averages around 62°F. Anaheim scores 9% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Reno if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 18% higher ($95,227), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 76°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Anaheim is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 5% lower than Reno (143 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Reno
Reno is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 28% cheaper here at about $1,556 a month. Choose Reno if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Bottom line
Housing separates these metros first: $1,556/month in Reno versus $2,175 in Anaheim. Median income reads $80,760 in Reno and $95,227 in Anaheim, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Reno rent at $1,556/month is still below Anaheim's $2,175, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $95,227 in Anaheim versus $80,760 in Reno.
Reno clears the bar on housing cost in this dataset. Anaheim deserves a serious look only when your $95,227 income offer in Anaheim outweighs saving $619/month in Reno.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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