Reno NV vs Salinas CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Salinas
161,993
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Reno
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Reno
37.3
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Reno
16.1%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Reno
3.2%
Reno +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Salinas
5.7%
Hispanic
Reno
24.6%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Reno
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Reno, NV | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 268,959 | 161,993 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 16.1% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 63.5% | 21.8% | Reno + |
| Black | 3.2% | 1.4% | Reno + |
| Asian | 7.0% | 5.7% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 24.6% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Reno
$78,448
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Reno
$62,696
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Reno
5.0%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Reno
35.7%
Reno +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Reno, NV | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,448 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,180 | $28,813 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 14.2% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.7% | 15.5% | Reno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Reno
$570,934
Reno +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Reno
49.4%
Reno +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Reno, NV | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,934 | $751,711 | Reno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 47.0% | Reno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Reno
460
Reno +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Reno
2417
Salinas
2388
Salinas +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 503 | Reno + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 2388 | Salinas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Salinas
32.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Reno
18.5%
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Reno
13.0%
Reno +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Reno
18.9%
Salinas
16.8%
Salinas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Reno
12.8%
Reno +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Reno, NV | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 32.8% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.4% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.2% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 22.4% | Reno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.9% | 16.8% | Salinas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 12.9% | Reno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Reno
53.0°F
Reno +
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
Salinas
15.5 in
| Metric | Reno, NV | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | 57.3°F | Reno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.3 in | 15.5 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Reno
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Reno, NV | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Reno, NV | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 28.8 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, 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 Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Reno, NVLos Angeles, CA vs Reno, NVChicago, IL vs Reno, NVHouston, TX vs Reno, NVPhoenix, AZ vs Reno, NVPhiladelphia, PA vs Reno, NV