City comparison
No. Reno's crime index is 151 versus 242 in Orlando, and its violent crime index is 156 versus 241, using 2022 FBI data for Orlando and 2024-2025 FBI data for Reno.
Reno is cheaper. Median rent is $1,556 a month versus $1,747 in Orlando.
Safety is where Orlando and Reno split most clearly. Reno scores 91 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,747 in Orlando and $1,556 in Reno.
Reno is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, the job market, and safety by margins that add up in daily life. Orlando 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 crime gap is citywide. Reno has rougher pockets and Orlando has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Orlando and Reno are 2,308 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,747 a month in Orlando to $1,556 a month in Reno, down $191 a month (11%).
Median household income goes from $72,336 in Orlando to $80,760 in Reno, up $8,424 (12%).
The crime index goes from 242 in Orlando to 151 in Reno, down 91 points (38%).
The move
Reno and Orlando are 2,308 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,556 a month in Reno to $1,747 a month in Orlando, up $191 a month (12%).
Median household income goes from $80,760 in Reno to $72,336 in Orlando, down $8,424 (10%).
The crime index goes from 151 in Reno to 242 in Orlando, up 91 points (60%).
Orlando, FL
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 Orlando and Reno? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
11% cheaper
Reno rent is 11% cheaper than Orlando
Orlando
$1,747/mo
Reno
Winner$1,556/mo
Typical rent runs $1,556 a month in Reno versus $1,747 in Orlando, so Reno is 11% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $2,292, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Reno still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Orlando.
Planning to buy in Reno? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
12% higher
Reno's median income is 12% higher than Orlando
Orlando
$72,336
Reno
Winner$80,760
Median household income is $80,760 in Reno versus $72,336 in Orlando, so typical pay runs 12% higher in Reno (about $8,424 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. Orlando can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
38% lower crime
Reno's crime index is 38% lower than Orlando
Orlando
242 (100 = avg)
Reno
Winner151 (100 = avg)
Reno's crime index is 151 versus 242 in Orlando (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 38% 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. Orlando can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
9% more comfortable
Orlando weather is 9% more comfortable than Reno
Orlando
Winner71°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Reno
62°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 92/100
Orlando averages about 71°F (78°F highs); Reno averages about 62°F (71°F highs). Orlando sits near 71°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Reno averages around 62°F. Orlando 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 Orlando if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (71°F) beat Reno on this page's weather index by 9%. Reno may pay more or cost less, but Orlando is the city where the forecast fights you less.
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 11% 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 12% 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 38% lower than Orlando (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 33/100 in Orlando, with typical rent at $1,556 versus $1,747. I would vet the exact ZIP in Orlando before trading 14 safety points for housing savings.
With only $191 separating typical rent, run both offer letters before housing cost alone picks the city.
Median income is $80,760 in Reno versus $72,336 in Orlando.
If safety drives your move, Reno is the stronger match (47/100 safety versus 33/100). If an employer or family tie already points to Orlando, treat $1,747/month rent and $72,336 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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