City Comparison
Caliente vs Reno
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Caliente scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Caliente
Reno
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Caliente is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
28% lower than in Reno.
Housing costs are a major driver: Caliente's average rent is
42% lower than Reno's.
| Metric | Caliente | Reno | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,650 | -42% |
| Groceries | $380 | $420 | -10% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $140 | $115 | +22% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $240 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $1,865 | $2,600 | -28% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 104 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Reno offers 22% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Reno delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Caliente is estimated at
$42,000 vs $58,000 in Reno.
| Metric | Caliente | Reno |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $67,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,091 idx | 64,423 idx |
| Household Income | $51,000 | $76,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Caliente runs warmer on average — a 5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Caliente comes out ahead with 19 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Reno sees 10.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Caliente | Reno |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 59.20°F | 54.20°F |
| Summer High | 91.40°F | 88.20°F |
| Winter Low | 31.40°F | 28.10°F |
| Rainfall | 7.70 in | 18.70 in |
| Snowfall | 10.70 in | 21.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 327 | 308 |
| Humidity | 30.00% | 38.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Caliente has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Reno.
Reno scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Caliente leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Caliente | Reno |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 15.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Reno is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Reno is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Caliente | Reno |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,100 | 270,631 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 1.40% |
| Median Age | 46.0 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Caliente
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living are substantially lower than the US national average.
Exceptional public safety with very low crime rates providing a secure environment for residents.
Immediate proximity to stunning Nevada state parks including Cathedral Gorge and Kershaw-Ryan.
Abundant sunshine with approximately 327 sunny days per year supporting an active outdoor lifestyle.
Peaceful, small-town community atmosphere free from urban traffic congestion and noise.
Drawbacks
Geographic isolation requires significant driving times to access major shopping, airports, and specialized healthcare.
Limited local job market with employment heavily concentrated in government and public services.
Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F, driving up seasonal cooling and utility costs.
Limited selection of dining, retail, and entertainment options within city limits.
Small rental inventory can make finding immediate housing challenging for newcomers.
Reno
Advantages
No state income tax in Nevada provides significant financial relief for residents and businesses.
Proximity to Lake Tahoe and world-class Sierra Nevada ski resorts offers exceptional year-round outdoor recreation.
A rapidly diversifying economy anchored by major technology, manufacturing, and logistics employers.
Thriving arts and cultural scene highlighted by month-long festivals like Artown and the Midtown district.
More affordable cost of living and housing compared to nearby coastal California metropolitan areas.
Drawbacks
Rapid population growth has driven up housing costs and rental rates significantly over the past several years.
Air quality can be seasonally impacted by regional wildfire smoke during dry summer and autumn months.
Car dependency is high outside of the immediate downtown and Midtown commercial cores.
Winter weather brings occasional heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures requiring mountain driving preparedness.
Job market competition has increased in certain sectors due to the influx of new residents from out of state.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Caliente
#181Nevada, USA
64.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
327/yr
Avg Temp
59.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
73
Business
55
Reno
#321Nevada, USA
60.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$67,000
Cost Index
104
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
308/yr
Avg Temp
54.20°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
75
Business
76
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