Reno NV vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Reno
268,959
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Reno
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Reno
37.3
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Reno
16.1%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Seattle
61.8%
Black
Reno
3.2%
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Asian
Reno
7.0%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Reno
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Reno, NV | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 268,959 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 16.1% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 63.5% | 61.8% | Reno + |
| Black | 3.2% | 6.6% | Seattle + |
| Asian | 7.0% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 24.6% | 8.2% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Reno
$78,448
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Reno
$45,180
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Reno
$62,696
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Reno
5.0%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Reno
12.5%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Reno
35.7%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,448 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,180 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.7% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Reno
$570,934
Reno +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Reno
49.4%
Reno +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Reno, NV | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,934 | $871,599 | Reno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 44.3% | Reno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Reno
460
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Reno
2417
Reno +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Reno, NV | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 3409 | Reno + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Reno
28.4%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Reno
9.5%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Reno
18.5%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Reno
13.0%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Reno
18.9%
Reno +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Reno
12.8%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.9% | 19.0% | Reno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Reno
53.0°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Reno, NV | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.3 in | 37.5 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Reno
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Reno, NV | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Reno, NV | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 28.8 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while reno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $570,934. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Reno. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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