same $100k income, fresh start from San Diego
changea dispatch from
reno
NV
39.53°N
119.81°W
Reno calls itself the Biggest Little City in the World and means it: casinos and neon, sure, but also a quietly cool downtown, a strong outdoor culture (Tahoe is 45 minutes south), and the Truckee River running right through the middle of everything. The University of Nevada keeps things young. Burning Man buses depart from here every August. Sunnier and drier than people expect.
in our guides
of 10
Best cities for couples
read the guideof 10
Best cities in states with no income tax
read the guideof 10
Best affordable cities in the Mountain West
read the guideof 10
Best cities for a $150k salary
read the guideof 10
Best cities for a $200k salary
read the guideof 10
Best cities for foodies
read the guideof 10
Best cities in the Southwest
read the guidethe verdict
cheaper each month than San Diego
Reno is the kind of cheap that changes the math. Same salary, a different life on the other side.
a quick ledger.
$1,908/mo
34% cheaper than San Diego(vs $2,890/mo)
0%
$775/mo less in state tax than San Diego
vs 9.3% in San Diego
$6,425/mo
$1,757 more than San Diego
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$574k
43% cheaper than San Diego
vs $1010k in San Diego
565k
vs 3.3M in San Diego
field notes, weather & such.
201
pleasant days a year, in reno.
San Diego edges ahead with 332 pleasant days. Winter has bite, though: 28 days drop below 20° vs San Diego's 0.
41% fewer events than San Diego. The pace eases up.
71/100
5% lower than San Diego
vs 75/100 in San Diego
Closest outdoor draw: Tahoe National Forest, 20.1 mi.
95/100
4% lower than San Diego
vs 99/100 in San Diego
13
76% fewer than San Diego
vs 55 nonstops in San Diego
neighbors of reno on the map of tradeoffs:
compare reno with:
