City comparison
No. Reno's crime index is 151 versus 174 in Phoenix, and its violent crime index is 156 versus 216, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Reno is cheaper. Median rent is $1,556 a month versus $1,582 in Phoenix.
Phoenix and Reno are closer on paper than many city pairs, so the move comes down to how you weight cost, safety, and climate. Typical rent sits near $1,582 in Phoenix and $1,556 in Reno, and median household income lands at $81,332 versus $80,760. Use the category rows below to see which gaps would change your daily life.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Reno costs less and Phoenix 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.
Visit both if you can. Cities reveal themselves in the ordinary moments, a Tuesday morning commute, a Saturday errand run, not on a weekend visit.
The move
Phoenix and Reno are 601 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,582 a month in Phoenix to $1,556 a month in Reno, down $26 a month (2%).
Median household income goes from $81,332 in Phoenix to $80,760 in Reno, down $572 (1%).
The crime index goes from 174 in Phoenix to 151 in Reno, down 23 points (13%).
The move
Reno and Phoenix are 601 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,556 a month in Reno to $1,582 a month in Phoenix, up $26 a month (2%).
Median household income goes from $80,760 in Reno to $81,332 in Phoenix, up $572 (1%).
The crime index goes from 151 in Reno to 174 in Phoenix, up 23 points (15%).
Phoenix, AZ
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 Phoenix and Reno? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
2% cheaper
Reno rent is 2% cheaper than Phoenix
Phoenix
$1,582/mo
Reno
Winner$1,556/mo
Typical rent runs $1,556 a month in Reno versus $1,582 in Phoenix, so Reno is 2% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $26, or $312 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
1% higher
Phoenix's median income is 1% higher than Reno
Phoenix
Winner$81,332
Reno
$80,760
Median household income is $81,332 in Phoenix versus $80,760 in Reno, so typical pay runs 1% higher in Phoenix (about $572 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
13% lower crime
Reno's crime index is 13% lower than Phoenix
Phoenix
174 (100 = avg)
Reno
Winner151 (100 = avg)
Reno's crime index is 151 versus 174 in Phoenix (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 13% lower in Reno. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Reno, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Phoenix. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
5% more comfortable
Phoenix weather is 5% more comfortable than Reno
Phoenix
Winner81°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 97/100
Reno
62°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 92/100
Phoenix averages about 81°F (87°F highs); Reno averages about 62°F (71°F highs). Phoenix averages around 81°F. Reno averages around 62°F. Phoenix scores 5% 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
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 1% higher ($81,332), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 81°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Reno is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 2% 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 fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 13% lower than Phoenix (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
Weather separates these metros: $1,582/month rent in Phoenix at 81°F versus $1,556 in Reno at 62°F. Income runs $81,332 vs $80,760, but the daily feel of the move is the temperature gap.
With only $26 separating typical rent, run both offer letters before housing cost alone picks the city.
Typical rent stays $1,556 in Reno and $1,582 in Phoenix.
Between Phoenix and Reno, Phoenix is ahead on climate — 81°F typical weather versus 62°F. Lean Reno instead when you would rather tolerate 62°F than optimize for Phoenix's comfort score.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Phoenix and Reno, plus other cities in AZ and NV.
