Chula Vista CA vs Reno NV — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chula Vista
8,933
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chula Vista
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Chula Vista
42.9
Reno
37.3
Reno +
Foreign Born
Chula Vista
20.0%
Chula Vista +
Reno
16.1%
White
Chula Vista
65.7%
Chula Vista +
Reno
63.5%
Black
Chula Vista
0.7%
Reno
3.2%
Reno +
Asian
Chula Vista
0.7%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Chula Vista
36.5%
Chula Vista +
Reno
24.6%
Spanish at Home
Chula Vista
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,933 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 37.3 | Reno + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 16.1% | Chula Vista + |
| White | 65.7% | 63.5% | Chula Vista + |
| Black | 0.7% | 3.2% | Reno + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 36.5% | 24.6% | Chula Vista + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chula Vista
$104,238
Chula Vista +
Reno
$78,448
Per Capita Income
Chula Vista
$49,562
Chula Vista +
Reno
$45,180
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chula Vista
$77,230
Chula Vista +
Reno
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Reno
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
Reno
12.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chula Vista
26.9%
Reno
35.7%
Reno +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,238 | $78,448 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,562 | $45,180 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $62,696 | Chula Vista + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% | 5.0% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.5% | 12.5% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.9% | 35.7% | Reno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chula Vista
$849,245
Reno
$570,934
Reno +
Homeownership Rate
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,245 | $570,934 | Reno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.4% | 49.4% | Chula Vista + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
503
Reno
460
Reno +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
2388
Chula Vista +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 460 | Reno + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2417 | Chula Vista + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
26.6%
Chula Vista +
Reno
28.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
11.4%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chula Vista
16.0%
Chula Vista +
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
12.4%
Chula Vista +
Reno
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
15.7%
Chula Vista +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
9.6%
Chula Vista +
Reno
12.8%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 28.4% | Chula Vista + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 18.5% | Chula Vista + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.0% | Chula Vista + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 18.9% | Chula Vista + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.8% | Chula Vista + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Reno
53.0°F
Reno +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 53.0°F | Reno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.8 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chula Vista
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chula Vista
26.9 min
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 22.3 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chula Vista leads in median household income at $104,238, while reno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $570,934. On public safety, Reno is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Chula Vista. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chula Vista scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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