City comparison
No. Reno's crime index is 151 versus 233 in Stockton, and its violent crime index is 156 versus 314, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Reno is cheaper. Median rent is $1,556 a month versus $1,577 in Stockton.
Safety is where Stockton and Reno split most clearly. Reno scores 82 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,577 in Stockton and $1,556 in Reno.
Reno is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, the job market, and safety by margins that add up in daily life. Stockton 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 crime gap is citywide. Reno has rougher pockets and Stockton has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Stockton and Reno are 135 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,577 a month in Stockton to $1,556 a month in Reno, down $21 a month (1%).
Median household income goes from $79,907 in Stockton to $80,760 in Reno, up $853 (1%).
The crime index goes from 233 in Stockton to 151 in Reno, down 82 points (35%).
The move
Reno and Stockton are 135 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,556 a month in Reno to $1,577 a month in Stockton, up $21 a month (1%).
Median household income goes from $80,760 in Reno to $79,907 in Stockton, down $853 (1%).
The crime index goes from 151 in Reno to 233 in Stockton, up 82 points (54%).
Stockton, 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 Stockton and Reno? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
1% cheaper
Reno rent is 1% cheaper than Stockton
Stockton
$1,577/mo
Reno
Winner$1,556/mo
Typical rent runs $1,556 a month in Reno versus $1,577 in Stockton, so Reno is 1% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $21, or $252 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 Reno? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
1% higher
Reno's median income is 1% higher than Stockton
Stockton
$79,907
Reno
Winner$80,760
Median household income is $80,760 in Reno versus $79,907 in Stockton, so typical pay runs 1% higher in Reno (about $853 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
35% lower crime
Reno's crime index is 35% lower than Stockton
Stockton
233 (100 = avg)
Reno
Winner151 (100 = avg)
Reno's crime index is 151 versus 233 in Stockton (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 35% 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. Stockton can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
9% more comfortable
Stockton weather is 9% more comfortable than Reno
Stockton
Winner71°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Reno
62°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 92/100
Stockton averages about 71°F (83°F highs); Reno averages about 62°F (71°F highs). Stockton sits near 71°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Reno averages around 62°F. Stockton 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
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Pick Stockton if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (71°F) beat Reno on this page's weather index by 9%. Reno may pay more or cost less, but Stockton is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Reno is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 1% 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 city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 1% 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 35% lower than Stockton (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
Stockton carries the heavier crime signal on this page (34/100 safety vs 47/100 in Reno). That 13-point spread matters more than the $21 rent gap when you are choosing where to walk after dark.
Median income is $80,760 in Reno versus $79,907 in Stockton — with rent matched, the paycheck gap matters more.
If safety drives your move, Reno is the stronger match (47/100 safety versus 34/100). If an employer or family tie already points to Stockton, treat $1,577/month rent and $79,907 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Weather averages land near 71°F in Stockton and 62°F in Reno.
Common questions
Ready to move to Reno?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Reno when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Stockton and Reno, plus other cities in CA and NV.
