City comparison
No. Reno's crime index is 151 versus 187 in Long Beach, and its violent crime index is 156 versus 189, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Reno is cheaper. Median rent is $1,556 a month versus $1,871 in Long Beach.
Long Beach 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 $1,871 in Long Beach and $1,556 in Reno, and median household income lands at $87,430 versus $80,760. Use the category rows below to see which gaps would change your daily life.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Reno costs less and Long Beach 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 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
Long Beach and Reno are 408 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,871 a month in Long Beach to $1,556 a month in Reno, down $315 a month (17%).
Median household income goes from $87,430 in Long Beach to $80,760 in Reno, down $6,670 (8%).
The crime index goes from 187 in Long Beach to 151 in Reno, down 36 points (19%).
The move
Reno and Long Beach are 408 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,556 a month in Reno to $1,871 a month in Long Beach, up $315 a month (20%).
Median household income goes from $80,760 in Reno to $87,430 in Long Beach, up $6,670 (8%).
The crime index goes from 151 in Reno to 187 in Long Beach, up 36 points (24%).
Long Beach, 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 Long Beach and Reno? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
17% cheaper
Reno rent is 17% cheaper than Long Beach
Long Beach
$1,871/mo
Reno
Winner$1,556/mo
Typical rent runs $1,556 a month in Reno versus $1,871 in Long Beach, so Reno is 17% 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 $3,780, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Reno still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Long Beach.
Planning to buy in Reno? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
8% higher
Long Beach's median income is 8% higher than Reno
Long Beach
Winner$87,430
Reno
$80,760
Median household income is $87,430 in Long Beach versus $80,760 in Reno, so typical pay runs 8% higher in Long Beach (about $6,670 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
19% lower crime
Reno's crime index is 19% lower than Long Beach
Long Beach
187 (100 = avg)
Reno
Winner151 (100 = avg)
Reno's crime index is 151 versus 187 in Long Beach (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 19% 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. Long Beach can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
9% more comfortable
Long Beach weather is 9% more comfortable than Reno
Long Beach
Winner76°F avg · 81°F highs · comfort 100/100
Reno
62°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 92/100
Long Beach averages about 76°F (81°F highs); Reno averages about 62°F (71°F highs). Long Beach sits near 76°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Reno averages around 62°F. Long Beach 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 8% higher ($87,430), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 76°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Reno is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 17% 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.
Reno is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 19% lower than Long Beach (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 41/100 in Long Beach. Rent is $1,556/month in Reno and $1,871/month in Long Beach, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Long Beach still pays more locally ($87,430 median income vs $80,760), which can offset the lease if your field pays Long Beach rates.
Weather averages land near 76°F in Long Beach and 62°F in Reno.
Between Long Beach and Reno, Reno is ahead on safety — 47/100 safety versus 41/100. Lean Long Beach instead when you already know the Long Beach block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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