Is Reno cheaper than Denver?

Yes. Typical rent in Reno is $1,870 a month versus $2,089 in Denver — 10% cheaper. Median household income is $73,073 in Reno compared with $85,853 in Denver, so Denver has the stronger local pay picture.

Which city is safer, Reno or Denver?

Reno is safer on this comparison. Its crime index is 117 versus 137 in Denver — 15% lower (100 is the national average). Citywide indexes still hide neighborhood variation, so walk the block you would actually rent.

Which city has better schools, Reno or Denver?

School composites are close: A- in Reno and A- in Denver. Tour specific campuses rather than picking a city on the letter grade alone.

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City comparison

Reno, NV vs Denver, CO

Reno, NV versus Denver, CO is a real move, not a trivia matchup. This comparison uses the same 2026 neighborhood report data we publish on each city page — typical rent, median household income, crime indexes, school composites, and typical weather — so you can see which city actually fits how you live, work, and spend. Typical rents sit near $1,870 a month in Reno and $2,089 in Denver, and median household income lands at $73,073 versus $85,853. Open either city's full report when you want the block-level detail behind these headlines.

Reno takes affordability, safety, and weather, while Denver takes job market. The widest gap is median income, where Denver leads by 17% — the kind of spread you feel in a monthly budget or a nightly walk, not just on a chart. Read the category rows as a filter: if cheaper housing would change your life more than a stronger job market, weight rent first. If you are moving with kids, weight schools and crime. If you picked a city after one good weekend, use the weather and income rows to test whether that weekend survives a full year.

Numbers below are citywide, not a guarantee about the street you will actually live on. Two ZIP codes in Reno can feel further apart than Reno and Denver do on paper. Use this page to pick a city, then use the Reno and Denver reports to pick a neighborhood — and visit in the season you like least before you sign anything.

Full Reno report Full Denver report

Reno, NV

Rent: $1,870/mo
Median income: $73,073
Crime index: 117
Schools: A-
Weather: 80°F

Denver, CO

Rent: $2,089/mo
Median income: $85,853
Crime index: 137
Schools: A-
Weather: 82°F

Rent

10% cheaper

Reno rent is 10% cheaper than Denver

Reno

Winner

$1,870/mo

Denver

$2,089/mo

What this means for your life

Typical rent runs $1,870 a month in Reno versus $2,089 in Denver, so Reno is 10% 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 $2,628 — 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 Denver.

Median income

17% higher

Denver's median income is 17% higher than Reno

Reno

$73,073

Denver

Winner

$85,853

What this means for your life

Median household income is $85,853 in Denver versus $73,073 in Reno, so typical pay runs 17% higher in Denver — about $12,780 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, Denver is the stronger labor market on paper. Reno can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.

Crime index

15% lower crime

Reno's crime index is 15% lower than Denver

Reno

Winner

117 (100 = avg)

Denver

137 (100 = avg)

What this means for your life

Reno's crime index is 117 versus 137 in Denver (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 15% 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 Denver. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.

School scores

Neck and neck

Reno and Denver are about even on school scores.

Reno

A- · 84/100

Denver

A- · 84/100

What this means for your life

School composites are effectively even (A- in Reno, A- in Denver). For families with kids this is a warning if you assumed one city was obviously better — at this range the campus, not the city name, decides it. Tour the zoned elementary you would actually use.

Typical weather

7% more comfortable

Reno weather is 7% more comfortable than Denver

Reno

Winner

80°F typical

Denver

82°F typical

What this means for your life

Reno scores 7% more comfortable on this page's weather index, which rewards temperatures closer to a livable outdoor day. Typical temperatures sit around 80°F in Reno and 82°F in Denver. Reno reads as warm weather most of the year; Denver reads as hot, long summers. The comfort edge is real but not a personality transplant. If you already know you want Denver's season, a modest index lead should not talk you out of it. If you are undecided, Reno is the city where the forecast fights you less.

Fit check

Who should choose Reno

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 10% cheaper here at about $1,870 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 (80°F) beat Denver on this page's weather index by 7%. Denver may pay more or cost less, but Reno is the city where the forecast fights you less.

Reno is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 15% lower than Denver (117 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.

Open the Reno report →

Fit check

Who should choose Denver

Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth

Denver is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 17% higher here ($85,853). Start with Denver if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.

Open the Denver report →

Bottom line

Reno vs Denver, called

If the job market is your priority, Denver is the clear choice.

If safety matters more to you, Reno pulls ahead.

For most movers comparing these two cities, Reno offers the better overall package.

Common questions

Reno vs Denver FAQ

Is Reno cheaper than Denver?: Yes. Typical rent in Reno is $1,870 a month versus $2,089 in Denver — 10% cheaper. Median household income is $73,073 in Reno compared with $85,853 in Denver, so Denver has the stronger local pay picture.
Which city is safer, Reno or Denver?: Reno is safer on this comparison. Its crime index is 117 versus 137 in Denver — 15% lower (100 is the national average). Citywide indexes still hide neighborhood variation, so walk the block you would actually rent.
Which city has better schools, Reno or Denver?: School composites are close: A- in Reno and A- in Denver. Tour specific campuses rather than picking a city on the letter grade alone.

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