Los Angeles 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)
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Reno
268,959
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Los Angeles
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Los Angeles
36.9
Los Angeles +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
Reno
16.1%
White
Los Angeles
37.3%
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Black
Los Angeles
8.5%
Los Angeles +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
Reno
7.0%
Hispanic
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
Reno
24.6%
Spanish at Home
Los Angeles
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 268,959 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 37.3 | Los Angeles + |
| Foreign Born | 35.8% | 16.1% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 37.3% | 63.5% | Reno + |
| Black | 8.5% | 3.2% | Los Angeles + |
| Asian | 12.0% | 7.0% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 24.6% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Los Angeles
$80,366
Los Angeles +
Reno
$78,448
Per Capita Income
Los Angeles
$46,270
Los Angeles +
Reno
$45,180
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Los Angeles
$77,230
Los Angeles +
Reno
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Los Angeles
7.9%
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Poverty Rate
Los Angeles
16.6%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Los Angeles
37.8%
Los Angeles +
Reno
35.7%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,366 | $78,448 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,270 | $45,180 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $62,696 | Los Angeles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.0% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 35.7% | Los Angeles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Los Angeles
$956,465
Reno
$570,934
Reno +
Homeownership Rate
Los Angeles
36.3%
Reno
49.4%
Reno +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $956,465 | $570,934 | Reno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.3% | 49.4% | Reno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
503
Reno
460
Reno +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
2388
Los Angeles +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 460 | Reno + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2417 | Los Angeles + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
Reno
28.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Los Angeles
17.4%
Los Angeles +
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
13.2%
Reno
13.0%
Reno +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
15.9%
Los Angeles +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Reno
12.8%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.3% | 28.4% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 18.5% | Los Angeles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 13.0% | Reno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 18.9% | Los Angeles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.8% | Los Angeles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Reno
53.0°F
Reno +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 53.0°F | Reno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Los Angeles
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Los Angeles, 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
Los Angeles
33.8 min
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 22.3 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Los Angeles leads in median household income at $80,366, 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 Los Angeles. Reno has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
Compare More Cities
Los Angeles, CA vs New York, NYChicago, IL vs Los Angeles, CAHouston, TX vs Los Angeles, CALos Angeles, CA vs Phoenix, AZLos Angeles, CA vs Philadelphia, PALos Angeles, CA vs San Antonio, TX