City comparison
No. Reno's crime index is 151 versus 166 in St Paul, and its violent crime index is 156 versus 160, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
St Paul is cheaper. Median rent is $1,281 a month versus $1,556 in Reno.
Climate is the sharpest divide between St Paul and Reno. St Paul averages 50°F while Reno averages 62°F, a difference that affects utility bills, outdoor lifestyle, and how you feel nine months of the year. Rent runs $1,281 versus $1,556.
Reno is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. St Paul makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Reno is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. St Paul at $1,281 average has pockets that run $1,081 and others at $1,681: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
St Paul and Reno are 1,410 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,281 a month in St Paul to $1,556 a month in Reno, up $275 a month (21%).
Median household income goes from $73,394 in St Paul to $80,760 in Reno, up $7,366 (10%).
The crime index goes from 166 in St Paul to 151 in Reno, down 15 points (9%).
The move
Reno and St Paul are 1,410 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,556 a month in Reno to $1,281 a month in St Paul, down $275 a month (18%).
Median household income goes from $80,760 in Reno to $73,394 in St Paul, down $7,366 (9%).
The crime index goes from 151 in Reno to 166 in St Paul, up 15 points (10%).
St Paul, MN
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 St Paul and Reno? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
18% cheaper
St Paul rent is 18% cheaper than Reno
St Paul
Winner$1,281/mo
Reno
$1,556/mo
Typical rent runs $1,281 a month in St Paul versus $1,556 in Reno, so St Paul is 18% 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 $3,300, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. St Paul still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Reno.
Planning to buy in Reno? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
10% higher
Reno's median income is 10% higher than St Paul
St Paul
$73,394
Reno
Winner$80,760
Median household income is $80,760 in Reno versus $73,394 in St Paul, so typical pay runs 10% higher in Reno (about $7,366 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
9% lower crime
Reno's crime index is 9% lower than St Paul
St Paul
166 (100 = avg)
Reno
Winner151 (100 = avg)
Reno's crime index is 151 versus 166 in St Paul (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 9% 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 St Paul. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
59% more comfortable
Reno weather is 59% more comfortable than St Paul
St Paul
50°F avg · 57°F highs · comfort 58/100
Reno
Winner62°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 92/100
St Paul averages about 50°F (57°F highs); Reno averages about 62°F (71°F highs). St Paul averages around 50°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Reno averages around 62°F. Reno scores 59% 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 St Paul if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to St Paul
St Paul is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 18% cheaper here at about $1,281 a month. Choose St Paul if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
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 10% higher ($80,760), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 62°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Reno is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 9% lower than St Paul (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
St Paul (50°F) and Reno (62°F) are not interchangeable on climate — about 12°F apart on typical temperatures. Rent ($1,281 vs $1,556) and pay ($73,394 vs $80,760) still matter, yet most movers regret ignoring the forecast row.
Reno still pays more locally ($80,760 median income vs $73,394), which can offset the lease if your field pays Reno rates.
Safety scores read 45/100 in St Paul and 47/100 in Reno.
If climate drives your move, St Paul is the stronger match (50°F typical weather versus 62°F). If an employer or family tie already points to Reno, treat $1,556/month rent and $80,760 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
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