Reno NV vs Tucson AZ — 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Reno
268,959
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Reno
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Reno
37.3
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
Tucson
13.7%
White
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Tucson
58.2%
Black
Reno
3.2%
Tucson
5.0%
Tucson +
Asian
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Reno
24.6%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Reno
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Reno, NV | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 268,959 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 16.1% | 13.7% | Reno + |
| White | 63.5% | 58.2% | Reno + |
| Black | 3.2% | 5.0% | Tucson + |
| Asian | 7.0% | 3.1% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 24.6% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Reno
$62,696
Reno +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Reno
35.7%
Reno +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Reno, NV | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,448 | $54,546 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,180 | $31,152 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $59,120 | Reno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.4% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 18.8% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.7% | 30.2% | Reno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Reno
$570,934
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Reno
49.4%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,934 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Reno
460
Tucson
450
Tucson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Reno
2417
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 450 | Tucson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Tucson
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Tucson
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Reno
18.5%
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Reno
13.0%
Reno +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Reno
18.9%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Reno
12.8%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 33.5% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.3% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 15.7% | Reno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.9% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Reno
53.0°F
Reno +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
Tucson
12.2 in
| Metric | Reno, NV | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | 69.8°F | Reno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.3 in | 12.2 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Reno
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Reno, NV | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
Tucson
23.9 min
| Metric | Reno, NV | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 23.9 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Tucson is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 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%.
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