Reno NV vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Tacoma
220,482
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Reno
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Reno
37.3
Tacoma
37.3
Tie
Foreign Born
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Tacoma
59.4%
Black
Reno
3.2%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Reno
7.0%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Reno
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Reno, NV | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 268,959 | 220,482 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 37.3 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 16.1% | 12.2% | Reno + |
| White | 63.5% | 59.4% | Reno + |
| Black | 3.2% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 7.0% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 24.6% | 13.1% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Reno
$78,448
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Tacoma
$44,756
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Reno
$62,696
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Reno
12.5%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Reno
35.7%
Reno +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Reno, NV | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,448 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,180 | $44,756 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.3% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.7% | 33.5% | Reno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Reno
$570,934
Tacoma
$496,966
Tacoma +
Homeownership Rate
Reno
49.4%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,934 | $496,966 | Tacoma + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Reno
460
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Reno
2417
Reno +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Reno, NV | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 3409 | Reno + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Tacoma
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Reno
18.5%
Reno +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Reno
13.0%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Reno
18.9%
Tacoma
16.8%
Tacoma +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Reno
12.8%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 37.3% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.9% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.7% | Reno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.9% | 16.8% | Tacoma + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Reno
53.0°F
Reno +
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Reno, NV | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | 53.5°F | Reno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.3 in | 39.2 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Reno
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Reno, NV | Tacoma, 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 +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Reno, NV | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 31.1 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while tacoma offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $496,966. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 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). 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