City comparison
Yes. North Las Vegas's crime index is 110 versus 151 in Reno, and its violent crime index is 110 versus 156, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Reno is cheaper. Median rent is $1,556 a month versus $1,705 in North Las Vegas.
Safety is where North Las Vegas and Reno split most clearly. North Las Vegas scores 41 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,705 in North Las Vegas and $1,556 in Reno.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Reno is the easier city on typical rent, but North Las Vegas can still be the better daily fit depending on schools, safety, and climate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The crime gap is citywide. North Las Vegas has rougher pockets and Reno has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
North Las Vegas and Reno are 344 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,705 a month in North Las Vegas to $1,556 a month in Reno, down $149 a month (9%).
Median household income goes from $79,542 in North Las Vegas to $80,760 in Reno, up $1,218 (2%).
The crime index goes from 110 in North Las Vegas to 151 in Reno, up 41 points (37%).
The move
Reno and North Las Vegas are 344 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,556 a month in Reno to $1,705 a month in North Las Vegas, up $149 a month (10%).
Median household income goes from $80,760 in Reno to $79,542 in North Las Vegas, down $1,218 (2%).
The crime index goes from 151 in Reno to 110 in North Las Vegas, down 41 points (27%).
North Las Vegas, NV
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 North Las Vegas and Reno? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
9% cheaper
Reno rent is 9% cheaper than North Las Vegas
North Las Vegas
$1,705/mo
Reno
Winner$1,556/mo
Typical rent runs $1,556 a month in Reno versus $1,705 in North Las Vegas, so Reno is 9% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $149, or $1,788 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 Reno? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
2% higher
Reno's median income is 2% higher than North Las Vegas
North Las Vegas
$79,542
Reno
Winner$80,760
Median household income is $80,760 in Reno versus $79,542 in North Las Vegas, so typical pay runs 2% higher in Reno (about $1,218 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
27% lower crime
North Las Vegas's crime index is 27% lower than Reno
North Las Vegas
Winner110 (100 = avg)
Reno
151 (100 = avg)
North Las Vegas's crime index is 110 versus 151 in Reno (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 27% lower in North Las Vegas. 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, North Las Vegas 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
9% more comfortable
North Las Vegas weather is 9% more comfortable than Reno
North Las Vegas
Winner76°F avg · 82°F highs · comfort 100/100
Reno
62°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 92/100
North Las Vegas averages about 76°F (82°F highs); Reno averages about 62°F (71°F highs). North Las Vegas sits near 76°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Reno averages around 62°F. North Las Vegas 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
Pick North Las Vegas if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (76°F) beat Reno on this page's weather index by 9%. Reno may pay more or cost less, but North Las Vegas is the city where the forecast fights you less.
North Las Vegas is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 27% lower than Reno (110 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 and professional growth
Reno is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 9% 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 city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 2% higher here ($80,760). Start with Reno if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Bottom line
Reno carries the heavier crime signal on this page (47/100 safety vs 57/100 in North Las Vegas). That 10-point spread matters more than the $149 rent gap when you are choosing where to walk after dark.
Safety still diverges (57/100 in North Las Vegas vs 47/100 in Reno), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Typical rent stays $1,556 in Reno and $1,705 in North Las Vegas.
If safety drives your move, North Las Vegas is the stronger match (57/100 safety versus 47/100). If an employer or family tie already points to Reno, treat $1,556/month rent and $80,760 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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