City comparison
No. Reno's crime index is 151 versus 270 in Houston, and its violent crime index is 156 versus 294, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Houston is cheaper. Median rent is $1,361 a month versus $1,556 in Reno.
Safety is where Houston and Reno split most clearly. Reno scores 119 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,361 in Houston and $1,556 in Reno.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Houston 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 Houston has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Houston and Reno are 1,538 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,361 a month in Houston to $1,556 a month in Reno, up $195 a month (14%).
Median household income goes from $64,813 in Houston to $80,760 in Reno, up $15,947 (25%).
The crime index goes from 270 in Houston to 151 in Reno, down 119 points (44%).
The move
Reno and Houston are 1,538 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,556 a month in Reno to $1,361 a month in Houston, down $195 a month (13%).
Median household income goes from $80,760 in Reno to $64,813 in Houston, down $15,947 (20%).
The crime index goes from 151 in Reno to 270 in Houston, up 119 points (79%).
Houston, TX
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 Houston and Reno? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
13% cheaper
Houston rent is 13% cheaper than Reno
Houston
Winner$1,361/mo
Reno
$1,556/mo
Typical rent runs $1,361 a month in Houston versus $1,556 in Reno, so Houston is 13% 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 $2,340, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Houston 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 Houston? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
25% higher
Reno's median income is 25% higher than Houston
Houston
$64,813
Reno
Winner$80,760
Median household income is $80,760 in Reno versus $64,813 in Houston, so typical pay runs 25% higher in Reno (about $15,947 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. Houston can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
44% lower crime
Reno's crime index is 44% lower than Houston
Houston
270 (100 = avg)
Reno
Winner151 (100 = avg)
Reno's crime index is 151 versus 270 in Houston (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 44% 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. Houston can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
9% more comfortable
Houston weather is 9% more comfortable than Reno
Houston
Winner70°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Reno
62°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 92/100
Houston averages about 70°F (78°F highs); Reno averages about 62°F (71°F highs). Houston sits near 70°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Reno averages around 62°F. Houston 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
Houston is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 13% cheaper here at about $1,361 a month. Choose Houston if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Pick Houston if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (70°F) beat Reno on this page's weather index by 9%. Reno may pay more or cost less, but Houston 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 25% 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 44% lower than Houston (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 30/100 in Houston. Rent is $1,556/month in Reno and $1,361/month in Houston, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Houston rent at $1,361/month is still below Reno's $1,556, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,361 in Houston and $1,556 in Reno.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in Reno; Houston only makes sense when you have walked the Houston ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $1,361 rent.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Houston and Reno, plus other cities in TX and NV.
