City comparison
No. Reno's crime index is 151 versus 266 in Milwaukee, and its violent crime index is 156 versus 375, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Milwaukee is cheaper. Median rent is $1,059 a month versus $1,556 in Reno.
The income gap between Milwaukee and Reno is significant: $54,234 median household versus $80,760. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,059 in Milwaukee and $1,556 in Reno.
Reno is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Milwaukee makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Reno is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Milwaukee at $1,059 average has pockets that run $859 and others at $1,459: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Milwaukee and Reno are 1,664 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,059 a month in Milwaukee to $1,556 a month in Reno, up $497 a month (47%).
Median household income goes from $54,234 in Milwaukee to $80,760 in Reno, up $26,526 (49%).
The crime index goes from 266 in Milwaukee to 151 in Reno, down 115 points (43%).
The move
Reno and Milwaukee are 1,664 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,556 a month in Reno to $1,059 a month in Milwaukee, down $497 a month (32%).
Median household income goes from $80,760 in Reno to $54,234 in Milwaukee, down $26,526 (33%).
The crime index goes from 151 in Reno to 266 in Milwaukee, up 115 points (76%).
Milwaukee, 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 Milwaukee and Reno? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
32% cheaper
Milwaukee rent is 32% cheaper than Reno
Milwaukee
Winner$1,059/mo
Reno
$1,556/mo
Typical rent runs $1,059 a month in Milwaukee versus $1,556 in Reno, so Milwaukee is 32% cheaper. That's roughly $497/month back in your pocket ($5,964/year). Over five years that's $29,820 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, Milwaukee is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Reno? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
49% higher
Reno's median income is 49% higher than Milwaukee
Milwaukee
$54,234
Reno
Winner$80,760
Median household income is $80,760 in Reno versus $54,234 in Milwaukee, so typical pay runs 49% higher in Reno (about $26,526 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. Milwaukee can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
43% lower crime
Reno's crime index is 43% lower than Milwaukee
Milwaukee
266 (100 = avg)
Reno
Winner151 (100 = avg)
Reno's crime index is 151 versus 266 in Milwaukee (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 43% 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. Milwaukee can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
28% more comfortable
Reno weather is 28% more comfortable than Milwaukee
Milwaukee
55°F avg · 61°F highs · comfort 72/100
Reno
Winner62°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 92/100
Milwaukee averages about 55°F (61°F highs); Reno averages about 62°F (71°F highs). Milwaukee averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Reno averages around 62°F. Reno scores 28% 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 Milwaukee if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Milwaukee
Milwaukee is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 32% cheaper here at about $1,059 a month. Choose Milwaukee if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
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 49% 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.
Reno is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 43% lower than Milwaukee (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
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Reno leads on safety (47/100 vs 30/100 in Milwaukee). Typical rent is $1,556 in Reno and $1,059 in Milwaukee; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Milwaukee rent at $1,059/month is still below Reno's $1,556, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,059 in Milwaukee and $1,556 in Reno.
Between Milwaukee and Reno, Reno is ahead on safety — 47/100 safety versus 30/100. Lean Milwaukee instead when you already know the Milwaukee block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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