City comparison
Yes. Gilbert's crime index is 47 versus 151 in Reno, and its violent crime index is 37 versus 156, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Reno is cheaper. Median rent is $1,556 a month versus $2,110 in Gilbert.
Safety is where Gilbert and Reno split most clearly. Gilbert scores 104 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $2,110 in Gilbert and $1,556 in Reno.
Gilbert is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Reno makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Gilbert is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Reno at $1,556 average has pockets that run $1,356 and others at $1,956: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Gilbert and Reno are 617 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,110 a month in Gilbert to $1,556 a month in Reno, down $554 a month (26%).
Median household income goes from $122,551 in Gilbert to $80,760 in Reno, down $41,791 (34%).
The crime index goes from 47 in Gilbert to 151 in Reno, up 104 points (221%).
The move
Reno and Gilbert are 617 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,556 a month in Reno to $2,110 a month in Gilbert, up $554 a month (36%).
Median household income goes from $80,760 in Reno to $122,551 in Gilbert, up $41,791 (52%).
The crime index goes from 151 in Reno to 47 in Gilbert, down 104 points (69%).
Gilbert, AZ
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 Gilbert and Reno? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
26% cheaper
Reno rent is 26% cheaper than Gilbert
Gilbert
$2,110/mo
Reno
Winner$1,556/mo
Typical rent runs $1,556 a month in Reno versus $2,110 in Gilbert, so Reno is 26% cheaper. That's roughly $554/month back in your pocket ($6,648/year). Over five years that's $33,240 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 Gilbert, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Reno is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Gilbert? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
52% higher
Gilbert's median income is 52% higher than Reno
Gilbert
Winner$122,551
Reno
$80,760
Median household income is $122,551 in Gilbert versus $80,760 in Reno, so typical pay runs 52% higher in Gilbert (about $41,791 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, Gilbert is the stronger labor market on paper. Reno can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
69% lower crime
Gilbert's crime index is 69% lower than Reno
Gilbert
Winner47 (100 = avg)
Reno
151 (100 = avg)
Gilbert's crime index is 47 versus 151 in Reno (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 69% lower in Gilbert. 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, Gilbert is the easier city. Reno can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
9% more comfortable
Gilbert weather is 9% more comfortable than Reno
Gilbert
Winner80°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 100/100
Reno
62°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 92/100
Gilbert averages about 80°F (87°F highs); Reno averages about 62°F (71°F highs). Gilbert sits near 80°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Reno averages around 62°F. Gilbert 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
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 52% higher ($122,551), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 80°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Gilbert is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 69% lower than Reno (47 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.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Reno
Reno is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 26% 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.
Bottom line
Safety is the widest gap: Gilbert scores 83/100 versus 47/100 in Reno. Rent is $2,110/month in Gilbert and $1,556/month in Reno, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Reno rent at $1,556/month is still below Gilbert's $2,110, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,556 in Reno and $2,110 in Gilbert.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in Gilbert; Reno only makes sense when you have walked the Reno ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $1,556 rent.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Gilbert and Reno, plus other cities in AZ and NV.
