City comparison
Yes. Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 151 in Reno, and its violent crime index is 130 versus 156, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Arlington is cheaper. Median rent is $1,470 a month versus $1,556 in Reno.
Arlington and Reno are closer on paper than many city pairs, so the move comes down to how you weight cost, safety, and climate. Typical rent sits near $1,470 in Arlington and $1,556 in Reno, and median household income lands at $75,171 versus $80,760. Use the category rows below to see which gaps would change your daily life.
Arlington is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, 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 Arlington is the stronger move.
Visit both if you can. Cities reveal themselves in the ordinary moments, a Tuesday morning commute, a Saturday errand run, not on a weekend visit.
The move
Arlington and Reno are 1,347 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,470 a month in Arlington to $1,556 a month in Reno, up $86 a month (6%).
Median household income goes from $75,171 in Arlington to $80,760 in Reno, up $5,589 (7%).
The crime index goes from 132 in Arlington to 151 in Reno, up 19 points (14%).
The move
Reno and Arlington are 1,347 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,556 a month in Reno to $1,470 a month in Arlington, down $86 a month (6%).
Median household income goes from $80,760 in Reno to $75,171 in Arlington, down $5,589 (7%).
The crime index goes from 151 in Reno to 132 in Arlington, down 19 points (13%).
Arlington, TX
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 Arlington and Reno? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
6% cheaper
Arlington rent is 6% cheaper than Reno
Arlington
Winner$1,470/mo
Reno
$1,556/mo
Typical rent runs $1,470 a month in Arlington versus $1,556 in Reno, so Arlington is 6% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $86, or $1,032 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Arlington? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
7% higher
Reno's median income is 7% higher than Arlington
Arlington
$75,171
Reno
Winner$80,760
Median household income is $80,760 in Reno versus $75,171 in Arlington, so typical pay runs 7% higher in Reno (about $5,589 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
13% lower crime
Arlington's crime index is 13% lower than Reno
Arlington
Winner132 (100 = avg)
Reno
151 (100 = avg)
Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 151 in Reno (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 13% lower in Arlington. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Arlington, 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
Arlington weather is 9% more comfortable than Reno
Arlington
Winner67°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 100/100
Reno
62°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 92/100
Arlington averages about 67°F (74°F highs); Reno averages about 62°F (71°F highs). Arlington sits near 67°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Reno averages around 62°F. Arlington 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
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Arlington is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 6% cheaper here at about $1,470 a month. Choose Arlington if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Pick Arlington if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (67°F) beat Reno on this page's weather index by 9%. Reno may pay more or cost less, but Arlington is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Arlington is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 13% lower than Reno (132 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
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Reno is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 7% higher here ($80,760). Start with Reno if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Bottom line
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Arlington leads on safety (52/100 vs 47/100 in Reno). Typical rent is $1,470 in Arlington and $1,556 in Reno; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Arlington rent at $1,470/month is still below Reno's $1,556, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $80,760 in Reno versus $75,171 in Arlington.
Arlington is ahead on safety (52/100 vs 47/100); Reno is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,556/month rent plus $80,760 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Arlington and Reno, plus other cities in TX and NV.
