City comparison
No. Reno's crime index is 151 versus 338 in Baltimore, and its violent crime index is 156 versus 428, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Baltimore is cheaper. Median rent is $1,331 a month versus $1,556 in Reno.
Safety is where Baltimore and Reno split most clearly. Reno scores 187 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,331 in Baltimore and $1,556 in Reno.
Reno is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Baltimore 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 Baltimore has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Baltimore and Reno are 2,284 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,331 a month in Baltimore to $1,556 a month in Reno, up $225 a month (17%).
Median household income goes from $62,177 in Baltimore to $80,760 in Reno, up $18,583 (30%).
The crime index goes from 338 in Baltimore to 151 in Reno, down 187 points (55%).
The move
Reno and Baltimore are 2,284 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,556 a month in Reno to $1,331 a month in Baltimore, down $225 a month (14%).
Median household income goes from $80,760 in Reno to $62,177 in Baltimore, down $18,583 (23%).
The crime index goes from 151 in Reno to 338 in Baltimore, up 187 points (124%).
Baltimore, MD
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 Baltimore and Reno? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
14% cheaper
Baltimore rent is 14% cheaper than Reno
Baltimore
Winner$1,331/mo
Reno
$1,556/mo
Typical rent runs $1,331 a month in Baltimore versus $1,556 in Reno, so Baltimore is 14% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $2,700, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Baltimore still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Reno.
Planning to buy in Reno? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
30% higher
Reno's median income is 30% higher than Baltimore
Baltimore
$62,177
Reno
Winner$80,760
Median household income is $80,760 in Reno versus $62,177 in Baltimore, so typical pay runs 30% higher in Reno (about $18,583 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, Reno is the stronger labor market on paper. Baltimore can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
55% lower crime
Reno's crime index is 55% lower than Baltimore
Baltimore
338 (100 = avg)
Reno
Winner151 (100 = avg)
Reno's crime index is 151 versus 338 in Baltimore (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 55% 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. Baltimore can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
4% more comfortable
Reno weather is 4% more comfortable than Baltimore
Baltimore
55°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 72/100
Reno
Winner56°F avg · 65°F highs · comfort 75/100
Baltimore averages about 55°F (62°F highs); Reno averages about 56°F (65°F highs). Baltimore averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Reno averages around 56°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Reno scores 4% 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 Baltimore if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Baltimore
Baltimore is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 14% cheaper here at about $1,331 a month. Choose Baltimore if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
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 30% higher ($80,760), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 56°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Reno is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 55% lower than Baltimore (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
Safety is the widest gap: Reno scores 47/100 versus 23/100 in Baltimore. Rent is $1,556/month in Reno and $1,331/month in Baltimore, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Baltimore rent at $1,331/month is still below Reno's $1,556, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,331 in Baltimore and $1,556 in Reno.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in Reno; Baltimore only makes sense when you have walked the Baltimore ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $1,331 rent.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Baltimore and Reno, plus other cities in MD and NV.
