City comparison
No. Reno's crime index is 151 versus 158 in Pittsburgh, and its violent crime index is 156 versus 147, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Pittsburgh is cheaper. Median rent is $1,261 a month versus $1,556 in Reno.
Climate is the sharpest divide between Pittsburgh and Reno. Pittsburgh averages 51°F while Reno averages 62°F, a difference that affects utility bills, outdoor lifestyle, and how you feel nine months of the year. Rent runs $1,261 versus $1,556.
Reno is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Pittsburgh 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. Pittsburgh at $1,261 average has pockets that run $1,061 and others at $1,661: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Pittsburgh and Reno are 2,091 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,261 a month in Pittsburgh to $1,556 a month in Reno, up $295 a month (23%).
Median household income goes from $65,742 in Pittsburgh to $80,760 in Reno, up $15,018 (23%).
The crime index goes from 158 in Pittsburgh to 151 in Reno, down 7 points (4%).
The move
Reno and Pittsburgh are 2,091 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,556 a month in Reno to $1,261 a month in Pittsburgh, down $295 a month (19%).
Median household income goes from $80,760 in Reno to $65,742 in Pittsburgh, down $15,018 (19%).
The crime index goes from 151 in Reno to 158 in Pittsburgh, up 7 points (5%).
Pittsburgh, PA
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 Pittsburgh and Reno? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
19% cheaper
Pittsburgh rent is 19% cheaper than Reno
Pittsburgh
Winner$1,261/mo
Reno
$1,556/mo
Typical rent runs $1,261 a month in Pittsburgh versus $1,556 in Reno, so Pittsburgh is 19% 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 $3,540, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Pittsburgh still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Reno.
Planning to buy in Reno? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
23% higher
Reno's median income is 23% higher than Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh
$65,742
Reno
Winner$80,760
Median household income is $80,760 in Reno versus $65,742 in Pittsburgh, so typical pay runs 23% higher in Reno (about $15,018 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. Pittsburgh can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
4% lower crime
Reno's crime index is 4% lower than Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh
158 (100 = avg)
Reno
Winner151 (100 = avg)
Reno's crime index is 151 versus 158 in Pittsburgh (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 4% 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 Pittsburgh. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
51% more comfortable
Reno weather is 51% more comfortable than Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh
51°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 61/100
Reno
Winner62°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 92/100
Pittsburgh averages about 51°F (58°F highs); Reno averages about 62°F (71°F highs). Pittsburgh averages around 51°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Reno averages around 62°F. Reno scores 51% 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 Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 19% cheaper here at about $1,261 a month. Choose Pittsburgh 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 23% 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 4% lower than Pittsburgh (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
Pittsburgh (51°F) and Reno (62°F) are not interchangeable on climate — about 11°F apart on typical temperatures. Rent ($1,261 vs $1,556) and pay ($65,742 vs $80,760) still matter, yet most movers regret ignoring the forecast row.
Reno still pays more locally ($80,760 median income vs $65,742), which can offset the lease if your field pays Reno rates.
Median income is $80,760 in Reno versus $65,742 in Pittsburgh.
Pick Pittsburgh when 51°F is the daily environment you want. Otherwise, Reno's case rests on 62°F you prefer and $1,556 rent you can sustain.
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