Reno, NV, known as 'The Biggest Little City in the World,' offers a unique blend of historic charm and modern urban amenities. Located in northwestern Nevada, Reno is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Carson City and Lake Tahoe enhance its status as a central point in the region. Reno's blend of historic landmarks, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.
Reno is home to several iconic landmarks, including the National Automobile Museum, the historic Virginia Street Bridge, and the scenic Truckee River Walk. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Rancho San Rafael Regional Park to the bustling Midtown District, known for its shopping and dining. Reno's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from classic American cuisine to international dishes.
Annual events such as the Reno Rodeo and the Great Reno Balloon Race highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Reno's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like the University of Nevada, Reno contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in Reno is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts and the Nevada Museum of Art are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Reno provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.
Reno’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Reno Aces (MiLB), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Reno include gaming, healthcare, and education, with significant employers such as Renown Health and the Washoe County School District driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and bike-sharing programs, making commuting convenient for residents.
Amenities
A wealth of amenities, such as restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, parks and fitness facilities, are all conveniently located within walking distance.
Commute
An elevated score in the commute category points to excellent public transit accessibility and shorter-than-average work commute times in this area.
Housing
High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.
Health & Safety
Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.
Crime
This area reports elevated crime rates per 100,000 individuals, potentially pointing some areas being unsafe for its residents. Stats are based on both property and violent crimes.
Ratings
AreaVibes collected feedback from local residents in the area through surveys and polls, and the results did not show a favorable view of things like local amenities and the safety of the area.
Located in the state of Nevada, Reno is a large city with a population of 258,532 people. The majority of Reno residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Asian and Black. Reno is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 48% married, this city falls well below the national average. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Reno will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 21 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.
Whether you’re moving to a new area to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Reno could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Nevada if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. To help you find the best places to live in and around Reno, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like crime, commute, education and more.
Using data and statistics Reno has received a livability score of 81/100. This score is ranked in the 95th percentile when compared to all other cities. Pack your bags! This is a very high score in comparison to other US cities. Living in Reno could be a great choice! Reno has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. Based on the rankings for each individual category, Reno has been rewarded with high marks for cost of living (B), employment (B-) and housing (A). There are some categories that Reno does not rank well for, including: crime (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to figure out why.
Reno has many conveniently situated amenities and captivating attractions that adds to the continuous enjoyment of your everyday life. Having the assurance of abundant conveniences and a wide array of activities ensures your easy access to nearby grocery stores, restaurants, bars, fitness facilities, coffee shops and exciting entertainment options. This not only simplifies daily routines but also fosters a vibrant and dynamic lifestyle within the community. With a wealth of resources at your fingertips, you can savor the convenience and variety that Reno has to offer, making it a desirable destination for those seeking both accessibility and enjoyment in their daily lives. Among the enticing options for fun and exploration in Reno are: National Automobile Museum, Truckee River Walk, and Casino at Silver Legacy Resort.
For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Reno apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.
Assuming that Reno meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Reno. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Reno are simply unattainable. The median home price for Reno homes is $665,476, which is 98% higher than the Nevada average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Reno, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 7.2, which is 71.4% higher than the Nevada average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Reno | Nevada | National |
| Average one way commute | 21min | 24min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 73.0% | 78.0% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 11.9% | 10.7% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 2.8% | 3.6% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.8% | 0.4% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 3.1% | 2.1% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 6.5% | 3.6% | 4.6% |
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