City comparison
No. Reno's crime index is 151 versus 183 in Oklahoma City, and its violent crime index is 156 versus 197, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Oklahoma City is cheaper. Median rent is $1,130 a month versus $1,556 in Reno.
The cost gap between Oklahoma City and Reno is the real story here. Oklahoma City comes in 27% cheaper on typical rent ($1,130 vs $1,556), which over a year adds up to $5,112. Median household income runs $68,656 in Oklahoma City and $80,760 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. Oklahoma City 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. Oklahoma City at $1,130 average has pockets that run $930 and others at $1,530: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Oklahoma City and Reno are 1,251 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City to $1,556 a month in Reno, up $426 a month (38%).
Median household income goes from $68,656 in Oklahoma City to $80,760 in Reno, up $12,104 (18%).
The crime index goes from 183 in Oklahoma City to 151 in Reno, down 32 points (17%).
The move
Reno and Oklahoma City are 1,251 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,556 a month in Reno to $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City, down $426 a month (27%).
Median household income goes from $80,760 in Reno to $68,656 in Oklahoma City, down $12,104 (15%).
The crime index goes from 151 in Reno to 183 in Oklahoma City, up 32 points (21%).
Oklahoma City, OK
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 Oklahoma City and Reno? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
27% cheaper
Oklahoma City rent is 27% cheaper than Reno
Oklahoma City
Winner$1,130/mo
Reno
$1,556/mo
Typical rent runs $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City versus $1,556 in Reno, so Oklahoma City is 27% cheaper. That's roughly $426/month back in your pocket ($5,112/year). Over five years that's $25,560 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, Oklahoma City 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
18% higher
Reno's median income is 18% higher than Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
$68,656
Reno
Winner$80,760
Median household income is $80,760 in Reno versus $68,656 in Oklahoma City, so typical pay runs 18% higher in Reno (about $12,104 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. Oklahoma City can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
17% lower crime
Reno's crime index is 17% lower than Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
183 (100 = avg)
Reno
Winner151 (100 = avg)
Reno's crime index is 151 versus 183 in Oklahoma City (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 17% 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. Oklahoma City can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
3% more comfortable
Reno weather is 3% more comfortable than Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
61°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 89/100
Reno
Winner62°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 92/100
Oklahoma City averages about 61°F (69°F highs); Reno averages about 62°F (71°F highs). Oklahoma City averages around 61°F. Reno averages around 62°F. Reno scores 3% 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 Oklahoma City 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 Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 27% cheaper here at about $1,130 a month. Choose Oklahoma City 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 18% 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 17% lower than Oklahoma City (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
On rent alone, Oklahoma City undercuts Reno by $426/month ($1,130 vs $1,556). I would not pick Reno on housing cost without a job that clears that spread.
Oklahoma City rent at $1,130/month is still below Reno's $1,556, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $80,760 in Reno versus $68,656 in Oklahoma City.
Oklahoma City is the default on housing cost at $1,130/month versus $1,556 in Reno; Reno stays in play when $80,760 local pay or an existing job offer outweighs the $426 lease gap.
Common questions
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Oklahoma City and Reno, plus other cities in OK and NV.
