Reno NV vs San Jose 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%
San Jose, CA
California · Population: 990,054
- Median HH Income$141,565
- Median Home Price$1,452,609
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Reno
268,959
San Jose
990,054
San Jose +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Reno
N/A
San Jose
N/A
Median Age
Reno
37.3
Reno +
San Jose
38.1
Foreign Born
Reno
16.1%
San Jose
41.6%
San Jose +
White
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
San Jose
29.0%
Black
Reno
3.2%
Reno +
San Jose
2.9%
Asian
Reno
7.0%
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
Hispanic
Reno
24.6%
San Jose
30.9%
San Jose +
Spanish at Home
Reno
N/A
San Jose
N/A
| Metric | Reno, NV | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 268,959 | 990,054 | San Jose + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 38.1 | Reno + |
| Foreign Born | 16.1% | 41.6% | San Jose + |
| White | 63.5% | 29.0% | Reno + |
| Black | 3.2% | 2.9% | Reno + |
| Asian | 7.0% | 38.6% | San Jose + |
| Hispanic | 24.6% | 30.9% | San Jose + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Reno
$78,448
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
Per Capita Income
Reno
$45,180
San Jose
$63,253
San Jose +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Reno
$62,696
San Jose
$77,230
San Jose +
Unemployment Rate
Reno
5.0%
San Jose
4.7%
San Jose +
Poverty Rate
Reno
12.5%
San Jose
7.8%
San Jose +
Bachelor's Degree+
Reno
35.7%
San Jose
46.5%
San Jose +
| Metric | Reno, NV | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,448 | $141,565 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,180 | $63,253 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $77,230 | San Jose + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.7% | San Jose + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 7.8% | San Jose + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.7% | 46.5% | San Jose + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Reno
$570,934
Reno +
San Jose
$1,452,609
Homeownership Rate
Reno
49.4%
San Jose
56.0%
San Jose +
| Metric | Reno, NV | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,934 | $1,452,609 | Reno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 56.0% | San Jose + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Reno
460
Reno +
San Jose
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Reno
2417
San Jose
2388
San Jose +
| Metric | Reno, NV | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 503 | Reno + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 2388 | San Jose + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Reno
28.4%
San Jose
23.7%
San Jose +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
San Jose
11.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Reno
18.5%
San Jose
14.9%
San Jose +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Reno
13.0%
San Jose
9.1%
San Jose +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Reno
18.9%
San Jose
13.0%
San Jose +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Reno
12.8%
San Jose
9.4%
San Jose +
| Metric | Reno, NV | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 23.7% | San Jose + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.1% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 14.9% | San Jose + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.1% | San Jose + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.9% | 13.0% | San Jose + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 9.4% | San Jose + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Reno
53.0°F
Reno +
San Jose
61.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
San Jose
14.9 in
| Metric | Reno, NV | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | 61.5°F | Reno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.3 in | 14.9 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Reno
75.0%
San Jose
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Reno, NV | San Jose, 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 +
San Jose
30.4 min
| Metric | Reno, NV | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 30.4 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, 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 San Jose. San Jose has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Jose scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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