City comparison
No. Reno's crime index is 151 versus 197 in Atlanta, and its violent crime index is 156 versus 193, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Reno is cheaper. Median rent is $1,556 a month versus $1,711 in Atlanta.
Safety is where Atlanta and Reno split most clearly. Reno scores 46 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,711 in Atlanta and $1,556 in Reno.
Reno is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Atlanta makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Reno is the stronger move.
The crime gap is citywide. Reno has rougher pockets and Atlanta has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Atlanta and Reno are 1,991 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,711 a month in Atlanta to $1,556 a month in Reno, down $155 a month (9%).
Median household income goes from $85,652 in Atlanta to $80,760 in Reno, down $4,892 (6%).
The crime index goes from 197 in Atlanta to 151 in Reno, down 46 points (23%).
The move
Reno and Atlanta are 1,991 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,556 a month in Reno to $1,711 a month in Atlanta, up $155 a month (10%).
Median household income goes from $80,760 in Reno to $85,652 in Atlanta, up $4,892 (6%).
The crime index goes from 151 in Reno to 197 in Atlanta, up 46 points (30%).
Atlanta, GA
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 Atlanta and Reno? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
9% cheaper
Reno rent is 9% cheaper than Atlanta
Atlanta
$1,711/mo
Reno
Winner$1,556/mo
Typical rent runs $1,556 a month in Reno versus $1,711 in Atlanta, so Reno is 9% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $155, or $1,860 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 Reno? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
6% higher
Atlanta's median income is 6% higher than Reno
Atlanta
Winner$85,652
Reno
$80,760
Median household income is $85,652 in Atlanta versus $80,760 in Reno, so typical pay runs 6% higher in Atlanta (about $4,892 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
23% lower crime
Reno's crime index is 23% lower than Atlanta
Atlanta
197 (100 = avg)
Reno
Winner151 (100 = avg)
Reno's crime index is 151 versus 197 in Atlanta (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 23% lower in Reno. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Reno is the easier city. Atlanta can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
3% more comfortable
Reno weather is 3% more comfortable than Atlanta
Atlanta
61°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 89/100
Reno
Winner62°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 92/100
Atlanta averages about 61°F (70°F highs); Reno averages about 62°F (71°F highs). Atlanta averages around 61°F. Reno averages around 62°F. Reno scores 3% 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 Atlanta 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 and professional growth
Atlanta is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 6% higher here ($85,652). Start with Atlanta if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Reno is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 9% 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.
Pick Reno if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (62°F) beat Atlanta on this page's weather index by 3%. Atlanta may pay more or cost less, but Reno is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Reno is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 23% lower than Atlanta (151 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.
Bottom line
Crime and safety tilt toward Reno: Reno scores 47/100 versus 39/100 in Atlanta, with typical rent at $1,556 versus $1,711. I would vet the exact ZIP in Atlanta before trading 8 safety points for housing savings.
Reno rent at $1,556/month is still below Atlanta's $1,711, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,556 in Reno and $1,711 in Atlanta.
Pick Reno when you want the stronger safety signal (47/100). Otherwise, Atlanta's case rests on a Atlanta ZIP you trust at $1,711 rent.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
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