Grand Island NE 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)
Grand Island, NE
Nebraska · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$254,245
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Grand Island
N/A
Reno
268,959
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Island
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Grand Island
N/A
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
Grand Island
N/A
Reno
16.1%
White
Grand Island
N/A
Reno
63.5%
Black
Grand Island
N/A
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Grand Island
N/A
Reno
7.0%
Hispanic
Grand Island
N/A
Reno
24.6%
Spanish at Home
Grand Island
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 268,959 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 37.3 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 16.1% | - |
| White | N/A | 63.5% | - |
| Black | N/A | 3.2% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 7.0% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 24.6% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Island
N/A
Reno
$78,448
Per Capita Income
Grand Island
N/A
Reno
$45,180
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Island
$66,354
Grand Island +
Reno
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Reno
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Reno
12.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Island
N/A
Reno
35.7%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $78,448 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $45,180 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $62,696 | Grand Island + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.0% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 12.5% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 35.7% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Island
$254,245
Grand Island +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $254,245 | $570,934 | Grand Island + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 49.4% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
294
Grand Island +
Reno
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
1960
Grand Island +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 460 | Grand Island + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 2417 | Grand Island + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
41.5%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
11.6%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Island
14.4%
Grand Island +
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
17.5%
Reno
13.0%
Reno +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
19.1%
Reno
18.9%
Reno +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
14.8%
Reno
12.8%
Reno +
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 18.5% | Grand Island + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 13.0% | Reno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 18.9% | Reno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 12.8% | Reno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
50.8°F
Grand Island +
Reno
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
26.7 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8°F | 53.0°F | Grand Island + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Island
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Island
N/A
Reno
22.3 min
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 22.3 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Island offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $254,245. On public safety, Grand Island is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Reno. 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%.
Compare More Cities
Grand Island, NE vs New York, NYGrand Island, NE vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Grand Island, NEGrand Island, NE vs Houston, TXGrand Island, NE vs Phoenix, AZGrand Island, NE vs Philadelphia, PA