Reno NV vs Santa Clarita 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%
Santa Clarita, CA
California · Population: 229,021
- Median HH Income$119,926
- Median Home Price$802,780
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Santa Clarita
229,021
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Reno
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Median Age
Reno
37.3
Reno +
Santa Clarita
38.1
Foreign Born
Reno
16.1%
Santa Clarita
21.6%
Santa Clarita +
White
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Black
Reno
3.2%
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Santa Clarita +
Asian
Reno
7.0%
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Santa Clarita +
Hispanic
Reno
24.6%
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Santa Clarita +
Spanish at Home
Reno
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Reno, NV | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 268,959 | 229,021 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 38.1 | Reno + |
| Foreign Born | 16.1% | 21.6% | Santa Clarita + |
| White | 63.5% | 53.1% | Reno + |
| Black | 3.2% | 4.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| Asian | 7.0% | 11.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| Hispanic | 24.6% | 36.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Reno
$78,448
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Income
Reno
$45,180
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Reno
$62,696
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Santa Clarita +
Unemployment Rate
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Reno
12.5%
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Santa Clarita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Reno
35.7%
Santa Clarita
39.3%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,448 | $119,926 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,180 | $49,571 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $77,230 | Santa Clarita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.3% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 7.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.7% | 39.3% | Santa Clarita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Reno
$570,934
Reno +
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Homeownership Rate
Reno
49.4%
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,934 | $802,780 | Reno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 72.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Reno
460
Reno +
Santa Clarita
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Reno
2417
Santa Clarita
2388
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 503 | Reno + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 2388 | Santa Clarita + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Reno
28.4%
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Santa Clarita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Reno
18.5%
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Santa Clarita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Reno
13.0%
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Santa Clarita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Reno
18.9%
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Santa Clarita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Reno
12.8%
Santa Clarita
9.9%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 24.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.8% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 8.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.9% | 16.9% | Santa Clarita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 9.9% | Santa Clarita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Reno
53.0°F
Santa Clarita
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Reno
8.3 in
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Reno, NV | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Reno
75.0%
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Reno, NV | Santa Clarita, 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 +
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
| Metric | Reno, NV | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 37.4 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Clarita leads in median household income at $119,926, 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 Santa Clarita. 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, Santa Clarita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.7%.
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