Reno NV vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Reno
268,959
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Reno
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Reno
37.3
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
Washington
13.3%
White
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Reno
3.2%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Reno
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Reno, NV | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 268,959 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 16.1% | 13.3% | Reno + |
| White | 63.5% | 39.1% | Reno + |
| Black | 3.2% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 7.0% | 4.1% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 24.6% | 11.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Reno
$78,448
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Reno
$45,180
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Reno
$62,696
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Reno
35.7%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,448 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,180 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.5% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 14.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.7% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Reno
$570,934
Reno +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Reno
49.4%
Reno +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Reno, NV | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,934 | $580,173 | Reno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 41.1% | Reno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Reno
460
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Reno
2417
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Reno
28.4%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Reno
9.5%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Reno
18.5%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Reno
13.0%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Reno
18.9%
Reno +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Reno
12.8%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.9% | 24.0% | Reno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Reno
53.0°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Reno
8.3 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Reno, NV | Washington, DC | 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 +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Reno
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Reno, NV | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Reno, NV | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 32.8 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while reno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $570,934. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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