City comparison
No. Reno's crime index is 151 versus 236 in Tulsa, and its violent crime index is 156 versus 257, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Tulsa is cheaper. Median rent is $1,052 a month versus $1,556 in Reno.
Safety is where Tulsa and Reno split most clearly. Reno scores 85 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,052 in Tulsa and $1,556 in Reno.
This is a genuine split. Tulsa wins on cost of living and Reno wins on the job market and safety. 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. Tulsa at $1,052 average has pockets that run $852 and others at $1,452: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Tulsa and Reno are 1,316 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,052 a month in Tulsa to $1,556 a month in Reno, up $504 a month (48%).
Median household income goes from $59,838 in Tulsa to $80,760 in Reno, up $20,922 (35%).
The crime index goes from 236 in Tulsa to 151 in Reno, down 85 points (36%).
The move
Reno and Tulsa are 1,316 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,556 a month in Reno to $1,052 a month in Tulsa, down $504 a month (32%).
Median household income goes from $80,760 in Reno to $59,838 in Tulsa, down $20,922 (26%).
The crime index goes from 151 in Reno to 236 in Tulsa, up 85 points (56%).
Tulsa, OK
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 Tulsa and Reno? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
32% cheaper
Tulsa rent is 32% cheaper than Reno
Tulsa
Winner$1,052/mo
Reno
$1,556/mo
Typical rent runs $1,052 a month in Tulsa versus $1,556 in Reno, so Tulsa is 32% cheaper. That's roughly $504/month back in your pocket ($6,048/year). Over five years that's $30,240 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, Tulsa 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
35% higher
Reno's median income is 35% higher than Tulsa
Tulsa
$59,838
Reno
Winner$80,760
Median household income is $80,760 in Reno versus $59,838 in Tulsa, so typical pay runs 35% higher in Reno (about $20,922 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. Tulsa can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
36% lower crime
Reno's crime index is 36% lower than Tulsa
Tulsa
236 (100 = avg)
Reno
Winner151 (100 = avg)
Reno's crime index is 151 versus 236 in Tulsa (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 36% 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. Tulsa can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Tulsa and Reno are about even on typical weather.
Tulsa
62°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 92/100
Reno
62°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 92/100
Tulsa averages about 62°F (69°F highs); Reno averages about 62°F (71°F highs). Tulsa averages around 62°F. Reno 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
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Tulsa
Tulsa is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 32% cheaper here at about $1,052 a month. Choose Tulsa 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 and professional growth
Reno is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 35% 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 36% lower than Tulsa (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
Housing separates these metros first: $1,052/month in Tulsa versus $1,556 in Reno. Median income reads $59,838 in Tulsa and $80,760 in Reno, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Tulsa rent at $1,052/month is still below Reno's $1,556, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $80,760 in Reno versus $59,838 in Tulsa.
If housing cost drives your move, Tulsa is the stronger match ($1,052/month rent against $1,556). 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
Open full neighborhood reports for Tulsa and Reno, plus other cities in OK and NV.
