Philadelphia PA 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)
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
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
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Reno
268,959
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Philadelphia
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
Philadelphia
14.6%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
Philadelphia
36.1%
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Black
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Reno
7.0%
Hispanic
Philadelphia
15.2%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Philadelphia
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 268,959 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.3 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 14.6% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| White | 36.1% | 63.5% | Reno + |
| Black | 39.9% | 3.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 7.0% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 15.2% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Philadelphia
$60,698
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
Philadelphia
$37,669
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Reno
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Philadelphia
8.4%
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Poverty Rate
Philadelphia
22.0%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Philadelphia
34.6%
Reno
35.7%
Reno +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,698 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,669 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $62,696 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.4% | 5.0% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.6% | 35.7% | Reno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $233,814 | $570,934 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.3% | 49.4% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Reno
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 460 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2417 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Reno
28.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Reno
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Philadelphia
N/A
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Reno
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Reno
12.8%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 28.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Reno
53.0°F
Reno +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.1°F | 53.0°F | Reno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Philadelphia
55.0%
Reno
75.0%
Reno +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Reno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Philadelphia
34.5 min
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 22.3 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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).
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