New York NY 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)
New York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
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
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Reno
268,959
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New York
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
New York
38.0
Reno
37.3
Reno +
Foreign Born
New York
36.5%
New York +
Reno
16.1%
White
New York
35.9%
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Black
New York
22.7%
New York +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
New York
14.6%
New York +
Reno
7.0%
Hispanic
New York
28.4%
New York +
Reno
24.6%
Spanish at Home
New York
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,516,202 | 268,959 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 37.3 | Reno + |
| Foreign Born | 36.5% | 16.1% | New York + |
| White | 35.9% | 63.5% | Reno + |
| Black | 22.7% | 3.2% | New York + |
| Asian | 14.6% | 7.0% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 28.4% | 24.6% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New York
$79,713
New York +
Reno
$78,448
Per Capita Income
New York
$50,776
New York +
Reno
$45,180
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New York
$77,425
New York +
Reno
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
New York
7.7%
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Poverty Rate
New York
17.4%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
New York
41.0%
New York +
Reno
35.7%
| Metric | New York, NY | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,713 | $78,448 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,776 | $45,180 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $62,696 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 5.0% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.0% | 35.7% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New York
$816,078
Reno
$570,934
Reno +
Homeownership Rate
New York
32.8%
Reno
49.4%
Reno +
| Metric | New York, NY | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $816,078 | $570,934 | Reno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 32.8% | 49.4% | Reno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
434
New York +
Reno
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
1736
New York +
Reno
2417
| Metric | New York, NY | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 460 | New York + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2417 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
25.1%
New York +
Reno
28.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
11.9%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New York
15.4%
New York +
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New York
10.6%
New York +
Reno
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New York
16.9%
New York +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New York
11.4%
New York +
Reno
12.8%
| Metric | New York, NY | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.1% | 28.4% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 18.5% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.0% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 18.9% | New York + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.8% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
55.4°F
Reno
53.0°F
Reno +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
46.6 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | New York, NY | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.4°F | 53.0°F | Reno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New York
8.1 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New York
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New York, NY | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New York
44.2 min
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
| Metric | New York, NY | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 44.2 min | 22.3 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, while reno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $570,934. On public safety, New York is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Reno. 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, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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