Reno is a city in Nevada located at about 5,000 feet above sea level. It has become a common tourist spot for its proximity to the Sierra Nevada mountains and the access to casinos. Reno offers activities like gaming, family entertainment, outdoor events, festivals, museums, and more.
Visiting Reno safely is all about gaining the knowledge and proper planning beforehand. Traveling smart and staying informed about the current atmosphere and potential dangers of Reno will ease your mind for a safe and fulfilling discovery of the city.
Reno is the second most visited city in Nevada, so this alone goes to show it is a place desired to visit by many, and the potential dangers of visiting don’t hold people back. Especially, the location of the city just an hour away from the famous Lake Tahoe. It ranks medium to low on the crime and safety scale when compared to other cities of its size.
As with most places, walking around in the day time is generally safe. Walking around in the dark tends to present more potential dangers. It is best to do all exploring and tourist activities during the day and keep the walking around in the dark to a minimum.
Is Reno safe?
Reno is a safe city as indicated by its crime rates, which hovers aboves the national average. In 2020, Reno had a violent crime rate of 561.97 per 100,000 residents, which is 41% higher than the national average and its property crime rate of 2,217.59 per 100,000 residents is on par with the national average.
The national average for violent crime is 366.7 per 100,000 residents and the national average for property crime is 2,109.9 per 100,000 residents.
Reno crime rate is similar to cities like Chula Vista, Honolulu and Fremont. Here’s a scale to give you some perspective on Reno’s crime rate:
Reno Crime Rates And Crime Stats
The most recent, complete set of crime statistics comes from the FBI UCR and cross referenced with the Reno PD and are for 2019 and 2020:
Reno police reported a total of 6,974 offenses in 2020, compared with 7,197 in 2019, which is a 3 percent year-over-year decrease.
2019
2020
% Change
Murder
12
17
42%
Rape
180
281
56%
Robbery
312
286
-8%
Aggravated Assault
927
826
-11%
Violent Offense Total
1,431
1,410
-1%
Burglary
903
1105
22%
Larceny/Theft
3,679
3,486
-5%
Motor Vehicle Theft
1,184
973
-18%
Property Offense Total
5,766
5,564
-4%
Total Index Offenses
7,197
6,974
-3%
Violent Crime Rate
In 2020 Reno reported 1,410 violent crimes and had a violent crime rate of 561.97 per 100,000 residents. Violent crimes include; homicides, rape, robbery and aggravated assaults.
Year over year violent crime has decreased 1%.
You have a 1 in 178 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Reno.
Property Crime Rate
In 2020 Reno reported 5,564 property crimes and had a property crime rate of 2,217.59 per 100,000 residents. Property crimes include; burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson.
Year over year property crime has decreased 4%.
You have a 1 in 45 chance of becoming a victim of property crime in Reno.
Murder Rate
In 2020 Reno reported 17 murders and had a murder rate of 6.78 per 100,000 residents. Property crimes include; burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson.
Year over year murders has increased 42%.
You have a 1 in 14,759 chance of becoming a victim of property crime in Reno.
Reno’s crime rate vs other cities in Nevada (2020)
Here’e how Las Vegas’ violent crime rate compared to other cities in Nevada.
Cities
Population
Violent Crime Rate (2020)
Reno
250,903
561.97
Las Vegas
641,903
545.47
North Las Vegas
262,527
509.28
Sparks
108,445
411.27
Carson City
58,639
368.36
Henderson
317,610
214.73
Reno’s Crime Rate Comparison
Here’s a list of the top 23 most dangerous cities in the United States ranked by violent crime rates. Reno’s violent crime rate is more than 5 times less than Monroe, Louisiana, the most dangerous city on the list.
It is highly recommended that night time activity is kept to a minimum, especially in the downtown area. There is plenty to do and see during the day. This isn’t to say going out at night will result in something bad happening, but the risk is higher. Typically, the casino areas tend to get rowdier at night and can increase the likelihood of running into trouble.
Is It Safe To Visit Alone?
Reno is safe to visit alone when you familiarize yourself with the area and are aware of the areas and neighborhoods to avoid. Many people pass through Reno alone regularly. As with any place, traveling alone will always have its risks. It’s being fully prepared in a potentially dangerous scenario.
Is It Safe As A Woman To Visit
As a woman, there is going to be some extra caution taken into account. However, preparation will always be key. This pertains to traveling anywhere alone, as a woman. Always let your close friends and family know your whereabouts and have a cell phone handy in case of emergency.
What do residents of Reno say about it’s safety?
"Renos a very tourist friendly city. There’s really no place I can say to avoid in Reno."
"There are some rough patches here and there, but those are areas you really have to go out of your way to find. They are not places a tourist would want to visit anyways."
"Avoid Sun Valley, and the area around Sutro which is just north east of down town."
Safety Tips While Staying At A Hotel
More times than not, hotel staff are going to put the security and safety of their visitors at the highest priority. There is a range of lodging options in Reno, but no matter where you stay, these are some basics to keep in mind.
Request a room that is not on the ground floor- Ground floors have more of a chance to get broken into
Make sure the lock and room key system works
Always keep your luggage nearby.
Never share your lodging information
Lock valuables in safe
Only share your location and room with family and trusted friends
Make sure not to leave any credit card information out
Things to remember while visiting Reno:
Always park in a designated parking lot
Be sure to lock the doors
Don’t travel with valuables
Always have a firm grip on purse or bags
Never share lodging information with a stranger
Avoid low lite areas
Avoid altercations
Final thoughts on the safety of Reno
Before visiting a new place, taking the time to learn about the area and all its potential dangers is going to ensure the best experience.
Reno is a highly touristy area that has an array of entertainment, gaming, and outdoor adventures to offer visitors.
Although there are dangers and a variety of crimes in Reno, this is the reality of visiting many places.
Always use common sense, keep a close eye on your belongings, be aware of your surroundings, and always lock up when you leave your hotel or car.
Mariska is a recovering attorney who gave up her professional job to discover new perspectives of life while traveling in a 2009 Ford Transit.
She has been living the van life for 3 years and has not looked back since.
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