City comparison
No. Reno's crime index is 151 versus 195 in Fresno, and its violent crime index is 156 versus 211, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Fresno is cheaper. Median rent is $1,421 a month versus $1,556 in Reno.
Safety is where Fresno and Reno split most clearly. Reno scores 44 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,421 in Fresno and $1,556 in Reno.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Fresno costs less and Reno pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The crime gap is citywide. Reno has rougher pockets and Fresno has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Fresno and Reno are 192 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,421 a month in Fresno to $1,556 a month in Reno, up $135 a month (10%).
Median household income goes from $70,991 in Fresno to $80,760 in Reno, up $9,769 (14%).
The crime index goes from 195 in Fresno to 151 in Reno, down 44 points (23%).
The move
Reno and Fresno are 192 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,556 a month in Reno to $1,421 a month in Fresno, down $135 a month (9%).
Median household income goes from $80,760 in Reno to $70,991 in Fresno, down $9,769 (12%).
The crime index goes from 151 in Reno to 195 in Fresno, up 44 points (29%).
Fresno, CA
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 Fresno and Reno? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
9% cheaper
Fresno rent is 9% cheaper than Reno
Fresno
Winner$1,421/mo
Reno
$1,556/mo
Typical rent runs $1,421 a month in Fresno versus $1,556 in Reno, so Fresno is 9% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $135, or $1,620 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 Fresno? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
14% higher
Reno's median income is 14% higher than Fresno
Fresno
$70,991
Reno
Winner$80,760
Median household income is $80,760 in Reno versus $70,991 in Fresno, so typical pay runs 14% higher in Reno (about $9,769 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. Fresno can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
23% lower crime
Reno's crime index is 23% lower than Fresno
Fresno
195 (100 = avg)
Reno
Winner151 (100 = avg)
Reno's crime index is 151 versus 195 in Fresno (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. Fresno can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
9% more comfortable
Fresno weather is 9% more comfortable than Reno
Fresno
Winner74°F avg · 84°F highs · comfort 100/100
Reno
62°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 92/100
Fresno averages about 74°F (84°F highs); Reno averages about 62°F (71°F highs). Fresno sits near 74°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Reno averages around 62°F. Fresno 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
Fresno is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 9% cheaper here at about $1,421 a month. Choose Fresno if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Pick Fresno if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (74°F) beat Reno on this page's weather index by 9%. Reno may pay more or cost less, but Fresno is the city where the forecast fights you less.
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 14% higher here ($80,760). Start with Reno if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
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 Fresno (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
Reno (62°F) and Fresno (74°F) are not interchangeable on climate — about 12°F apart on typical temperatures. Rent ($1,556 vs $1,421) and pay ($80,760 vs $70,991) still matter, yet most movers regret ignoring the forecast row.
Fresno rent at $1,421/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 $70,991 in Fresno.
Pick Reno when 62°F is the daily environment you want. Otherwise, Fresno's case rests on 74°F you prefer and $1,421 rent you can sustain.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
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