City comparison
Yes. Madison's crime index is 91 versus 151 in Reno, and its violent crime index is 68 versus 156, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Madison is cheaper. Median rent is $1,413 a month versus $1,556 in Reno.
Climate is the sharpest divide between Madison and Reno. Madison averages 48°F while Reno averages 62°F, a difference that affects utility bills, outdoor lifestyle, and how you feel nine months of the year. Rent runs $1,413 versus $1,556.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Madison 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. Madison has rougher pockets and Reno has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Madison and Reno are 1,589 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,413 a month in Madison to $1,556 a month in Reno, up $143 a month (10%).
Median household income goes from $78,050 in Madison to $80,760 in Reno, up $2,710 (3%).
The crime index goes from 91 in Madison to 151 in Reno, up 60 points (66%).
The move
Reno and Madison are 1,589 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,556 a month in Reno to $1,413 a month in Madison, down $143 a month (9%).
Median household income goes from $80,760 in Reno to $78,050 in Madison, down $2,710 (3%).
The crime index goes from 151 in Reno to 91 in Madison, down 60 points (40%).
Madison, WI
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 Madison and Reno? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
9% cheaper
Madison rent is 9% cheaper than Reno
Madison
Winner$1,413/mo
Reno
$1,556/mo
Typical rent runs $1,413 a month in Madison versus $1,556 in Reno, so Madison is 9% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $143, or $1,716 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 Madison? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
3% higher
Reno's median income is 3% higher than Madison
Madison
$78,050
Reno
Winner$80,760
Median household income is $80,760 in Reno versus $78,050 in Madison, so typical pay runs 3% higher in Reno (about $2,710 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
40% lower crime
Madison's crime index is 40% lower than Reno
Madison
Winner91 (100 = avg)
Reno
151 (100 = avg)
Madison's crime index is 91 versus 151 in Reno (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 40% lower in Madison. 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, Madison 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
77% more comfortable
Reno weather is 77% more comfortable than Madison
Madison
48°F avg · 57°F highs · comfort 52/100
Reno
Winner62°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 92/100
Madison averages about 48°F (57°F highs); Reno averages about 62°F (71°F highs). Madison averages around 48°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Reno averages around 62°F. Reno scores 77% 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 Madison if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Madison is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 9% cheaper here at about $1,413 a month. Choose Madison if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Madison is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 40% lower than Reno (91 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
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 3% 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.
Bottom line
Crime and safety tilt toward Madison: Madison scores 63/100 versus 47/100 in Reno, with typical rent at $1,413 versus $1,556. I would vet the exact ZIP in Reno before trading 16 safety points for housing savings.
Safety still diverges (63/100 in Madison vs 47/100 in Reno), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Typical rent stays $1,413 in Madison and $1,556 in Reno.
Madison clears the bar on safety in this dataset. Reno deserves a serious look only when you already know the Reno block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Madison and Reno, plus other cities in WI and NV.
