City comparison
No. Reno's crime index is 151 versus 167 in Chicago, and its violent crime index is 156 versus 139, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Chicago is cheaper. Median rent is $1,440 a month versus $1,556 in Reno.
Chicago 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 $1,440 in Chicago and $1,556 in Reno, and median household income lands at $77,902 versus $80,760. Use the category rows below to see which gaps would change your daily life.
Reno is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Chicago 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.
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
Chicago and Reno are 1,683 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,440 a month in Chicago to $1,556 a month in Reno, up $116 a month (8%).
Median household income goes from $77,902 in Chicago to $80,760 in Reno, up $2,858 (4%).
The crime index goes from 167 in Chicago to 151 in Reno, down 16 points (10%).
The move
Reno and Chicago are 1,683 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,556 a month in Reno to $1,440 a month in Chicago, down $116 a month (7%).
Median household income goes from $80,760 in Reno to $77,902 in Chicago, down $2,858 (4%).
The crime index goes from 151 in Reno to 167 in Chicago, up 16 points (11%).
Chicago, IL
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 Chicago and Reno? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
7% cheaper
Chicago rent is 7% cheaper than Reno
Chicago
Winner$1,440/mo
Reno
$1,556/mo
Typical rent runs $1,440 a month in Chicago versus $1,556 in Reno, so Chicago is 7% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $116, or $1,392 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
4% higher
Reno's median income is 4% higher than Chicago
Chicago
$77,902
Reno
Winner$80,760
Median household income is $80,760 in Reno versus $77,902 in Chicago, so typical pay runs 4% higher in Reno (about $2,858 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
10% lower crime
Reno's crime index is 10% lower than Chicago
Chicago
167 (100 = avg)
Reno
Winner151 (100 = avg)
Reno's crime index is 151 versus 167 in Chicago (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 10% lower in Reno. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Reno, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Chicago. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
14% more comfortable
Reno weather is 14% more comfortable than Chicago
Chicago
53°F avg · 60°F highs · comfort 66/100
Reno
Winner56°F avg · 65°F highs · comfort 75/100
Chicago averages about 53°F (60°F highs); Reno averages about 56°F (65°F highs). Chicago averages around 53°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 14% 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 Chicago 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 Chicago
Chicago is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 7% cheaper here at about $1,440 a month. Choose Chicago 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 4% 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 10% lower than Chicago (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 44/100 in Chicago, with typical rent at $1,556 versus $1,440. I would vet the exact ZIP in Chicago before trading 3 safety points for housing savings.
With only $116 separating typical rent, run both offer letters before housing cost alone picks the city.
Typical rent stays $1,440 in Chicago and $1,556 in Reno.
Reno clears the bar on safety in this dataset. Chicago deserves a serious look only when you already know the Chicago block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Chicago and Reno, plus other cities in IL and NV.
