City comparison
Yes. Reno's crime index is 151 versus 189 in Lubbock, and its violent crime index is 156 versus 221, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Lubbock is cheaper. Median rent is $1,182 a month versus $1,556 in Reno.
The income gap between Reno and Lubbock is significant: $80,760 median household versus $60,895. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,556 in Reno and $1,182 in Lubbock.
This is a genuine split. Reno wins on the job market and safety and Lubbock wins on cost of living. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Lubbock at $1,182 average has pockets that run $982 and others at $1,582: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Reno and Lubbock are 1,076 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,556 a month in Reno to $1,182 a month in Lubbock, down $374 a month (24%).
Median household income goes from $80,760 in Reno to $60,895 in Lubbock, down $19,865 (25%).
The crime index goes from 151 in Reno to 189 in Lubbock, up 38 points (25%).
The move
Lubbock and Reno are 1,076 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,182 a month in Lubbock to $1,556 a month in Reno, up $374 a month (32%).
Median household income goes from $60,895 in Lubbock to $80,760 in Reno, up $19,865 (33%).
The crime index goes from 189 in Lubbock to 151 in Reno, down 38 points (20%).
Reno, NV
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Lubbock, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Reno and Lubbock? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
24% cheaper
Lubbock rent is 24% cheaper than Reno
Reno
$1,556/mo
Lubbock
Winner$1,182/mo
Typical rent runs $1,182 a month in Lubbock versus $1,556 in Reno, so Lubbock is 24% cheaper. That's roughly $374/month back in your pocket ($4,488/year). Over five years that's $22,440 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Reno, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Lubbock is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Reno? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
33% higher
Reno's median income is 33% higher than Lubbock
Reno
Winner$80,760
Lubbock
$60,895
Median household income is $80,760 in Reno versus $60,895 in Lubbock, so typical pay runs 33% higher in Reno (about $19,865 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. Lubbock can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
20% lower crime
Reno's crime index is 20% lower than Lubbock
Reno
Winner151 (100 = avg)
Lubbock
189 (100 = avg)
Reno's crime index is 151 versus 189 in Lubbock (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 20% lower in Reno. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Reno is the easier city. Lubbock can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Reno and Lubbock are about even on typical weather.
Reno
62°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 92/100
Lubbock
62°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 92/100
Reno averages about 62°F (71°F highs); Lubbock averages about 62°F (70°F highs). Reno averages around 62°F. Lubbock averages around 62°F. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
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 33% higher here ($80,760). Start with Reno if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Reno is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 20% lower than Lubbock (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.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Lubbock
Lubbock is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 24% cheaper here at about $1,182 a month. Choose Lubbock if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Bottom line
Reno posts $80,760 median household income against $60,895 in Lubbock. That 25% pay gap is the story when rents are $1,182 in Lubbock and $1,556 in Reno.
Reno still pays more locally ($80,760 median income vs $60,895), which can offset the lease if your field pays Reno rates.
Safety scores read 47/100 in Reno and 41/100 in Lubbock.
Between Reno and Lubbock, Reno is ahead on local pay — $80,760 median income against $60,895. Lean Lubbock instead when keeping rent near $1,182/month beats chasing $80,760 median income.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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