City comparison
No. Reno's crime index is 151 versus 495 in Memphis, and its violent crime index is 156 versus 629, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Memphis is cheaper. Median rent is $1,181 a month versus $1,556 in Reno.
Safety is where Memphis and Reno split most clearly. Reno scores 344 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,181 in Memphis and $1,556 in Reno.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Memphis 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 rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Memphis at $1,181 average has pockets that run $981 and others at $1,581: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Memphis and Reno are 1,655 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,181 a month in Memphis to $1,556 a month in Reno, up $375 a month (32%).
Median household income goes from $51,736 in Memphis to $80,760 in Reno, up $29,024 (56%).
The crime index goes from 495 in Memphis to 151 in Reno, down 344 points (69%).
The move
Reno and Memphis are 1,655 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,556 a month in Reno to $1,181 a month in Memphis, down $375 a month (24%).
Median household income goes from $80,760 in Reno to $51,736 in Memphis, down $29,024 (36%).
The crime index goes from 151 in Reno to 495 in Memphis, up 344 points (228%).
Memphis, TN
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 Memphis and Reno? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
24% cheaper
Memphis rent is 24% cheaper than Reno
Memphis
Winner$1,181/mo
Reno
$1,556/mo
Typical rent runs $1,181 a month in Memphis versus $1,556 in Reno, so Memphis is 24% cheaper. That's roughly $375/month back in your pocket ($4,500/year). Over five years that's $22,500 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 Reno, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Memphis is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Memphis? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
56% higher
Reno's median income is 56% higher than Memphis
Memphis
$51,736
Reno
Winner$80,760
Median household income is $80,760 in Reno versus $51,736 in Memphis, so typical pay runs 56% higher in Reno (about $29,024 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. Memphis 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
Reno's crime index is 69% lower than Memphis
Memphis
495 (100 = avg)
Reno
Winner151 (100 = avg)
Reno's crime index is 151 versus 495 in Memphis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 69% 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. Memphis can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
9% more comfortable
Memphis weather is 9% more comfortable than Reno
Memphis
Winner68°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Reno
62°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 92/100
Memphis averages about 68°F (78°F highs); Reno averages about 62°F (71°F highs). Memphis sits near 68°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Reno averages around 62°F. Memphis 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
Memphis is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 24% cheaper here at about $1,181 a month. Choose Memphis if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Pick Memphis if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (68°F) beat Reno on this page's weather index by 9%. Reno may pay more or cost less, but Memphis 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 56% 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 69% lower than Memphis (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
Crime and safety tilt toward Reno: Reno scores 47/100 versus 11/100 in Memphis, with typical rent at $1,556 versus $1,181. I would vet the exact ZIP in Memphis before trading 36 safety points for housing savings.
Memphis rent at $1,181/month is still below Reno's $1,556, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,181 in Memphis and $1,556 in Reno.
Pick Reno when you want the stronger safety signal (47/100). Otherwise, Memphis's case rests on a Memphis ZIP you trust at $1,181 rent.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Memphis and Reno, plus other cities in TN and NV.
