City comparison
No. Glendale's crime index is 144 versus 151 in Reno, and its violent crime index is 135 versus 156, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Glendale is cheaper. Median rent is $1,528 a month versus $1,556 in Reno.
Reno and Glendale 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 $1,556 in Reno and $1,528 in Glendale, and median household income lands at $80,760 versus $73,530. Use the category rows below to see which gaps would change your daily life.
Glendale is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Reno makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Glendale is the stronger move.
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
Reno and Glendale are 592 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,556 a month in Reno to $1,528 a month in Glendale, down $28 a month (2%).
Median household income goes from $80,760 in Reno to $73,530 in Glendale, down $7,230 (9%).
The crime index goes from 151 in Reno to 144 in Glendale, down 7 points (5%).
The move
Glendale and Reno are 592 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,528 a month in Glendale to $1,556 a month in Reno, up $28 a month (2%).
Median household income goes from $73,530 in Glendale to $80,760 in Reno, up $7,230 (10%).
The crime index goes from 144 in Glendale to 151 in Reno, up 7 points (5%).
Reno, NV
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Glendale, AZ
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Reno and Glendale? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
2% cheaper
Glendale rent is 2% cheaper than Reno
Reno
$1,556/mo
Glendale
Winner$1,528/mo
Typical rent runs $1,528 a month in Glendale versus $1,556 in Reno, so Glendale is 2% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $28, or $336 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 Glendale? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
10% higher
Reno's median income is 10% higher than Glendale
Reno
Winner$80,760
Glendale
$73,530
Median household income is $80,760 in Reno versus $73,530 in Glendale, so typical pay runs 10% higher in Reno (about $7,230 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
5% lower crime
Glendale's crime index is 5% lower than Reno
Reno
151 (100 = avg)
Glendale
Winner144 (100 = avg)
Glendale's crime index is 144 versus 151 in Reno (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 5% lower in Glendale. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Glendale, 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
5% more comfortable
Glendale weather is 5% more comfortable than Reno
Reno
62°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 92/100
Glendale
Winner81°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 97/100
Reno averages about 62°F (71°F highs); Glendale averages about 81°F (87°F highs). Reno averages around 62°F. Glendale averages around 81°F. Glendale 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 and professional growth
Reno is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 10% higher here ($80,760). Start with Reno if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Glendale is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 2% cheaper here at about $1,528 a month. Choose Glendale if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Pick Glendale if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (81°F) beat Reno on this page's weather index by 5%. Reno may pay more or cost less, but Glendale is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Glendale is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 5% lower than Reno (144 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
Reno (62°F) and Glendale (81°F) are not interchangeable on climate — about 19°F apart on typical temperatures. Rent ($1,556 vs $1,528) and pay ($80,760 vs $73,530) still matter, yet most movers regret ignoring the forecast row.
Glendale rent at $1,528/month is still below Reno's $1,556, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 47/100 in Reno and 49/100 in Glendale.
If climate drives your move, Reno is the stronger match (62°F typical weather versus 81°F). If an employer or family tie already points to Glendale, treat $1,528/month rent and $73,530 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
Ready to move to Glendale?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Glendale when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Reno and Glendale, plus other cities in NV and AZ.
