City comparison
No. Reno's crime index is 151 versus 231 in Cincinnati, and its violent crime index is 156 versus 237, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Cincinnati is cheaper. Median rent is $1,001 a month versus $1,556 in Reno.
The income gap between Cincinnati and Reno is significant: $52,909 median household versus $80,760. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,001 in Cincinnati 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. Cincinnati 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 rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Cincinnati at $1,001 average has pockets that run $801 and others at $1,401: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Cincinnati and Reno are 1,875 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,001 a month in Cincinnati to $1,556 a month in Reno, up $555 a month (55%).
Median household income goes from $52,909 in Cincinnati to $80,760 in Reno, up $27,851 (53%).
The crime index goes from 231 in Cincinnati to 151 in Reno, down 80 points (35%).
The move
Reno and Cincinnati are 1,875 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,556 a month in Reno to $1,001 a month in Cincinnati, down $555 a month (36%).
Median household income goes from $80,760 in Reno to $52,909 in Cincinnati, down $27,851 (34%).
The crime index goes from 151 in Reno to 231 in Cincinnati, up 80 points (53%).
Cincinnati, OH
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 Cincinnati and Reno? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
36% cheaper
Cincinnati rent is 36% cheaper than Reno
Cincinnati
Winner$1,001/mo
Reno
$1,556/mo
Typical rent runs $1,001 a month in Cincinnati versus $1,556 in Reno, so Cincinnati is 36% cheaper. That's roughly $555/month back in your pocket ($6,660/year). Over five years that's $33,300 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 Reno, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Cincinnati is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Reno? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
53% higher
Reno's median income is 53% higher than Cincinnati
Cincinnati
$52,909
Reno
Winner$80,760
Median household income is $80,760 in Reno versus $52,909 in Cincinnati, so typical pay runs 53% higher in Reno (about $27,851 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. Cincinnati can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
35% lower crime
Reno's crime index is 35% lower than Cincinnati
Cincinnati
231 (100 = avg)
Reno
Winner151 (100 = avg)
Reno's crime index is 151 versus 231 in Cincinnati (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 35% 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. Cincinnati can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
39% more comfortable
Reno weather is 39% more comfortable than Cincinnati
Cincinnati
53°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 66/100
Reno
Winner62°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 92/100
Cincinnati averages about 53°F (62°F highs); Reno averages about 62°F (71°F highs). Cincinnati averages around 53°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Reno averages around 62°F. Reno scores 39% 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 Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati
Cincinnati is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 36% cheaper here at about $1,001 a month. Choose Cincinnati 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 53% higher ($80,760), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 62°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 35% lower than Cincinnati (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
Rent is the clearest fork: Cincinnati at $1,001/month versus $1,556 in Reno ($555 apart). Reno median income is $80,760 against $52,909 in Cincinnati, so the cheaper lease does not always pair with the stronger local wage base.
Cincinnati rent at $1,001/month is still below Reno's $1,556, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 35/100 in Cincinnati and 47/100 in Reno.
Cincinnati clears the bar on housing cost in this dataset. Reno deserves a serious look only when your $80,760 income offer in Reno outweighs saving $555/month in Cincinnati.
Common questions
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