City comparison
Yes. Raleigh's crime index is 142 versus 151 in Reno, and its violent crime index is 128 versus 156, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Reno is cheaper. Median rent is $1,556 a month versus $1,572 in Raleigh.
Raleigh 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 $1,572 in Raleigh and $1,556 in Reno, and median household income lands at $85,395 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 Raleigh 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
Raleigh and Reno are 2,248 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,572 a month in Raleigh to $1,556 a month in Reno, down $16 a month (1%).
Median household income goes from $85,395 in Raleigh to $80,760 in Reno, down $4,635 (5%).
The crime index goes from 142 in Raleigh to 151 in Reno, up 9 points (6%).
The move
Reno and Raleigh are 2,248 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,556 a month in Reno to $1,572 a month in Raleigh, up $16 a month (1%).
Median household income goes from $80,760 in Reno to $85,395 in Raleigh, up $4,635 (6%).
The crime index goes from 151 in Reno to 142 in Raleigh, down 9 points (6%).
Raleigh, NC
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 Raleigh and Reno? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
1% cheaper
Reno rent is 1% cheaper than Raleigh
Raleigh
$1,572/mo
Reno
Winner$1,556/mo
Typical rent runs $1,556 a month in Reno versus $1,572 in Raleigh, so Reno is 1% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $16, or $192 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
6% higher
Raleigh's median income is 6% higher than Reno
Raleigh
Winner$85,395
Reno
$80,760
Median household income is $85,395 in Raleigh versus $80,760 in Reno, so typical pay runs 6% higher in Raleigh (about $4,635 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
6% lower crime
Raleigh's crime index is 6% lower than Reno
Raleigh
Winner142 (100 = avg)
Reno
151 (100 = avg)
Raleigh's crime index is 142 versus 151 in Reno (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 6% lower in Raleigh. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Raleigh, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Reno. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
7% more comfortable
Reno weather is 7% more comfortable than Raleigh
Raleigh
60°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 86/100
Reno
Winner62°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 92/100
Raleigh averages about 60°F (69°F highs); Reno averages about 62°F (71°F highs). Raleigh averages around 60°F. Reno averages around 62°F. Reno scores 7% 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 Raleigh 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 and professional growth
Raleigh is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 6% higher here ($85,395). Start with Raleigh if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Raleigh is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 6% lower than Reno (142 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
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Reno is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 1% 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.
Pick Reno if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (62°F) beat Raleigh on this page's weather index by 7%. Raleigh may pay more or cost less, but Reno is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Bottom line
Crime and safety tilt toward Raleigh: Raleigh scores 49/100 versus 47/100 in Reno, with matched rent near $1,572/month. I would vet the exact ZIP in Reno before trading 2 safety points for an identical lease.
Median income is $85,395 in Raleigh versus $80,760 in Reno — with rent matched, the paycheck gap matters more.
Raleigh clears the bar on safety in this dataset. Reno deserves a serious look only when you already know the Reno block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Weather averages land near 60°F in Raleigh and 62°F in Reno.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Reno when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Raleigh and Reno, plus other cities in NC and NV.
