City comparison
No. Reno's crime index is 151 versus 158 in Riverside, and its violent crime index is 156 versus 163, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Reno is cheaper. Median rent is $1,556 a month versus $1,914 in Riverside.
Riverside 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 $1,914 in Riverside and $1,556 in Reno, and median household income lands at $91,045 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 Riverside 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.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Reno at $1,556 average has pockets that run $1,356 and others at $1,956: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Riverside and Reno are 408 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,914 a month in Riverside to $1,556 a month in Reno, down $358 a month (19%).
Median household income goes from $91,045 in Riverside to $80,760 in Reno, down $10,285 (11%).
The crime index goes from 158 in Riverside to 151 in Reno, down 7 points (4%).
The move
Reno and Riverside are 408 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,556 a month in Reno to $1,914 a month in Riverside, up $358 a month (23%).
Median household income goes from $80,760 in Reno to $91,045 in Riverside, up $10,285 (13%).
The crime index goes from 151 in Reno to 158 in Riverside, up 7 points (5%).
Riverside, CA
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 Riverside and Reno? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
19% cheaper
Reno rent is 19% cheaper than Riverside
Riverside
$1,914/mo
Reno
Winner$1,556/mo
Typical rent runs $1,556 a month in Reno versus $1,914 in Riverside, so Reno 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 $4,296, 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 Riverside.
Planning to buy in Reno? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
13% higher
Riverside's median income is 13% higher than Reno
Riverside
Winner$91,045
Reno
$80,760
Median household income is $91,045 in Riverside versus $80,760 in Reno, so typical pay runs 13% higher in Riverside (about $10,285 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, Riverside 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
4% lower crime
Reno's crime index is 4% lower than Riverside
Riverside
158 (100 = avg)
Reno
Winner151 (100 = avg)
Reno's crime index is 151 versus 158 in Riverside (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 Riverside. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
9% more comfortable
Riverside weather is 9% more comfortable than Reno
Riverside
Winner77°F avg · 84°F highs · comfort 100/100
Reno
62°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 92/100
Riverside averages about 77°F (84°F highs); Reno averages about 62°F (71°F highs). Riverside sits near 77°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Reno averages around 62°F. Riverside scores 9% 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 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 13% higher ($91,045), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 77°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Reno is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 19% 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.
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 Riverside (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
Rent is the clearest fork: Reno at $1,556/month versus $1,914 in Riverside ($358 apart). Riverside median income is $91,045 against $80,760 in Reno, so the cheaper lease does not always pair with the stronger local wage base.
Reno rent at $1,556/month is still below Riverside's $1,914, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $91,045 in Riverside versus $80,760 in Reno.
Pick Reno when shaving $358 off rent at $1,556/month is the priority. Otherwise, Riverside's case rests on $1,914/month rent with $91,045 local income.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Riverside and Reno, plus other cities in CA and NV.
