Gainesville FL 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 37.3 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| White | 59.2% | 63.5% | Reno + |
| Black | 21.6% | 3.2% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Reno
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Reno
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Reno
35.7%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $62,696 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 5.0% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 35.7% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Reno
49.4%
Reno +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $570,934 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 49.4% | Reno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Reno
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 460 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2417 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Reno
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Reno
18.5%
Reno +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Reno
13.0%
Reno +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Gainesville +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
Reno
12.8%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 9.5% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 18.5% | Reno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.0% | Reno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 18.9% | Gainesville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.8% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Reno
53.0°F
Reno +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 53.0°F | Reno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Reno
22.3 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 22.3 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Reno. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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