Reno NV vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Reno
268,959
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Reno
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Reno
37.3
Reno +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Black
Reno
3.2%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Reno
7.0%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Reno
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Reno, NV | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 268,959 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 37.4 | Reno + |
| Foreign Born | 16.1% | 9.1% | Reno + |
| White | 63.5% | 61.6% | Reno + |
| Black | 3.2% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 7.0% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 24.6% | 8.9% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Reno
$78,448
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Reno
$45,180
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Reno
$62,696
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Reno
5.0%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Reno
12.5%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Reno
35.7%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,448 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,180 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.7% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Reno
$570,934
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Reno
49.4%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,934 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Reno
460
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Reno
2417
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Reno
18.5%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Reno
13.0%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Reno
18.9%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Reno
12.8%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 36.5% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.8% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.9% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Reno
53.0°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Reno
8.3 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Reno, NV | Virginia Beach, VA | 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 +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Reno
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Reno, NV | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Reno, NV | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 25.0 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Reno. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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