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The 12 Best Places to Live in Nevada
By Susan Doktor MONEY RESEARCH COLLECTIVE
With a population of 3.14 million individuals, Nevada, also known as the Silver State, is the 32nd most populated state in the US. It’s bordered by Oregon and Idaho to the north, Utah and Arizona to the east, California to the west, and California and Arizona to the south.
Vast desert expanses, towering mountain ranges and unique geological formations define Nevada. It’s home to the Great Basin Desert, which covers much of its eastern and central regions and is known for its sagebrush and sparse vegetation. The western part of Nevada is dominated by the Sierra Nevada mountain range, which features some of the highest peaks in the United States, including the famous Mount Whitney. Nevada is also home to Lake Tahoe. Rugged and awe-inspiring, Nevada is a wonderful example of the natural beauty of the American West.
Ever wonder what it’s like to live in Nevada? Thinking about moving there yourself? You have lots of great hometown choices around the state. Let’s look at a dozen of the best places to live in Nevada and some of the reasons why they’re so popular and attractive.
We’ve provided key facts at a glance for each city we recommend, including dominating industry sectors, median home prices and cost of living. Cost of living figures compare to the US national average.
Table of Contents
- Best Places to Live in Nevada
- Best Places to Live in Nevada FAQs
- How We Chose the Best Places to Live in Nevada
- Summary of Our Guide to the Best Places to Live in Nevada
Best Places to Live in Nevada
Reno
It may be less than half the size of Las Vegas, but it still packs a punch. The town offers a big city atmosphere minus much of the hassle.
Reno boasts a rich cultural scene with a range of entertainment options. It has a vibrant arts and culture community, with numerous galleries, theaters and museums. The Nevada Museum of Art and the National Automobile Museum are just a few of the attractions that make Reno a cultural hub. The city also hosts many festivals and events throughout the year, such as the Great Reno Balloon Race and the Reno Rodeo, which attract visitors from all over the world. Overall, Reno is a great place to live for those seeking a high quality of life, a dynamic culture and a range of outdoor activities.
Reno has a low unemployment rate of 3.4%. The city is home to a thriving job market. Additionally, Reno is known for its favorable climate, with over 300 days of sunshine each year. The city is surrounded by the Sierra Nevada mountains, providing residents with countless outdoor recreational opportunities.
| Cost of Living vs. National Average | Median Home Price | Largest Industries/Employment Opportunities |
| 8.3% | $407,000 | Hospitality, Gaming, Manufacturing, Logistics |
Boulder City
Boulder City, NV is a charming community located just 30 minutes southeast of Las Vegas. The city has a population of around 15,000 people and residents enjoy a close-knit community, where neighbors know neighbors more intimately than in larger cities.
Boulder City has a thriving downtown area, featuring locally-owned shops and restaurants that give it a distinct personality. The city also has a rich history, with landmarks like the Hoover Dam and the Boulder City Historic District that attract visitors worldwide.
As in many other Nevada locations, outdoor recreational opportunities abound in Boulder City. The town is surrounded by a beautiful desert landscape and is located near Lake Mead. There are hiking and biking trails in the area, as well as opportunities for boating, fishing and water sports on Lake Mead. Boulder City is also home to several parks and golf courses, providing residents with a variety of ways to stay active and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.
One special note about Boulder City: it’s one of the few places in Nevada where gambling is illegal.
| Cost of Living vs. National Average | Median Home Price | Largest Industries/Employment Opportunities |
| 2% | $462, 500 | Hotels & Food Service, Public Administration, Retail |
Las Vegas
Talk about fun! Few places on earth are as entertaining as Las Vegas, where you can dine, dance to the music, try your luck at one of the city’s many casinos, or stroll the strip 24 hours a day. While the city has been dubbed Sin City for years, it also has plenty of non-illicit qualities to recommend it.
The city offers an abundance of job opportunities in the hospitality and entertainment industries, making it an easy place for newcomers to land a job. It’s a mecca for creative types who seek employment in the entertainment industry or in media production. The technology sector is growing in the city, as well.
With an average of 294 sunny days per year, residents can enjoy plenty of outdoor activities, such as hiking, golfing and swimming. The mild winters also make it an ideal location for snowbirds who want to escape the cold weather in other parts of the country. Plus, Las Vegas is only a short drive away from several national parks and natural attractions, such as Red Rock Canyon, Lake Mead and the Grand Canyon, providing residents with easy access to some of the most beautiful scenery in the US.
| Cost of Living | Median Home Price | Largest Industries/Employment Opportunities |
| 5.7% | $385,000 | Gaming, Tourism, Entertainment |
Elko
Located in Elko County, Elko is the 17th largest city in Nevada, with a population of 20,247. Housing prices in the city are about in line with the national average. The cost of living in Elko is greater by about $5,000 versus the rest of the state, but again, it closely approximates the national average.
In the warmer months, Elko is a great place for outdoor enthusiasts, with plenty of hiking, fishing and hunting opportunities to keep them busy. The town is surrounded by beautiful natural scenery, including the Ruby Mountains and Lamoille Canyon, which are both popular destinations for outdoor recreation.
Elko is a little more isolated than some of our top 12 cities. It’s more than a 6-hour drive from Las Vegas and more than 3 hours to Salt Lake City, Utah. So it’s perfect for residents seeking a quieter lifestyle.
Winters can be harsh in the state. You can expect snowfall about five months out of the year, which is a boon to skiers and snowboarders. Spring, summer and fall in the state are spectacular, with comfortable temperatures.
| Cost of Living | Median Home Price | Largest Industries/Employment Opportunities |
| 1% | $304,600 | Gold mining, cattle ranching, government jobs, service industries |
Henderson
Henderson is a very near suburb of Las Vegas. That makes it easy to pop in and out of the hustle and bustle of the state’s largest city. The city’s population was just over 311,000 in 2022, making it the second largest city in the state of Nevada. Colin
While the cost of living is high in Henderson — considerably higher than in Las Vegas — the city offers a bit of a refuge from Las Vegas’s hyperactive business and social scenes. Employment opportunities in the city are a bit different, too: the city is far less dependent on the hospitality and entertainment trades. But if entertaining is your passion, the myriad casinos of Las Vegas are just minutes away.
The quality of education in Henderson is higher than the national average on several scores, including math and reading proficiency. The city ranks high on Nevada’s list of top schools, as well. And if you’re looking for a safe place to live or raise your children, Henderson fits the bill. The city’s crime rate is 40% lower than the national average.
Henderson residents enjoy the same access to outdoor recreation as residents of Las Vegas. Hiking and camping, horseback riding, and ziplining are among the more popular recreational experiences offered nearby the city. In addition, Henderson proper boasts nearly 70 public parks.
| Cost of Living | Median Home Price | Largest Industries/Employment Opportunities |
| 17% | $437,900 | Business and financial services, life sciences and healthcare, information technology |
Mesquite
Located about 80 miles away from Las Vegas and just over the Arizona border, Mesquite is a small community of just 22,031 residents. It’s known for giving newcomers a warm welcome and various clubs and organizations offer opportunities to meet fellow residents easily.
Mesquite is only the 16th largest city in Nevada. But despite its diminutive size, it’s a vibrant town that hosts an active cultural scene. Many special events and festivals take place throughout the year, including a hot air balloon fest, a 50+ festival and various county fairs.
Housing in Mesquite is quite a bargain, with a median home price in the city more than $100,000 less than the average home price in Nevada. The median income in the city is just over $59,000. Combined with the low cost of housing, Mesquite’s high wages make it easier for residents to enjoy the state’s many amenities.
Mesquite is located in the Mojave Desert and experiences over 300 days of sunshine per year. Temperatures rarely drop below 60 degrees in the state. It’s the perfect place to enjoy outdoor activities such as golfing, hiking and biking.
But if indoor activities are more your style, take heart. In recent years, Mesquite has become a gaming destination. The town has four of its own casinos where you can flaunt your poker skills or play the slots all night long.
| Cost of Living | Median Home Price | Largest Industries/Employment Opportunities |
| 5.7% | $284,000 | Arts and entertainment, hotel and food service, retail, heathcare |
Sparks
The very name of this little Nevada metropolis sounds pretty energetic, doesn’t it? With a population of almost 110,000 people, Sparks is, indeed, a vibrant place. About 23% of Sparks residents are under the age of 18 and the senior population is thriving in its arid climate. The city offers a relatively low cost of living compared to other cities of its size on the east and west coasts, which benefits everyone, of course, but especially retirees on a fixed income. With several hospitals and medical centers, including Renown Regional Medical Center and Northern Nevada Medical Center, seniors have good access to healthcare, as well.
But the city offers plenty of fun for all ages. Sparks Marina Park is one of the city’s biggest draws. Many travel journalists rate it the number one attraction in Sparks. The park is a terrific spot for family entertainment, including fishing, kayaking, bike riding, kite flying, rollerblading and leisurely walks.
Victorian Square is a social highlight of Sparks. Once home to the largest railroad rotunda in the US, it’s now the site of the twin high-rise towers of the Sparks Nugget complex. With its 1,380 guest rooms, meeting and conference spaces, and brightly-illuminated saloons and restaurants, the Sparks towers give the Square a festive feel year-round.
Sparks is located east of Reno — it’s a five-minute drive between the two. Many residents find employment in Reno, but Sparks is home to several large companies, as well, including Ebarra International Corporation (manufacturing), Valentus (healthcare) and Sierra Nevada Corporation (technology).
| Cost of Living | Median Home Price | Largest Industries/Employment Opportunities |
| 8.3% | $465,000 | Manufacturing, healthcare, technology |
Incline Village
Incline Village is named for the Great Incline Tramway, which was built by loggers in 1878. Incline plains were commonly constructed to help people transport goods from high mountain areas down to the valleys below. Today, the Incline features some of Lake Tahoe’s most beautiful mountain retreats. And for outdoor enthusiasts, the town offers a year-round range of exhilarating experiences, from the beautifully groomed trails of Diamond Peak to the many public beaches on Lake Tahoe’s shores.
Incline Village is known as a playground for the wealthy and, indeed, the cost of living in the town is quite high: about 24% above the national average. Home values are among the highest in the state of Nevada and rent will set you back a pretty penny, as well. The cost to rent a 900-square-foot apartment is over $1,800. But the per capita income in the state is correspondingly high at $84,954.
Incline Village has 3 public schools and one private school serving its children. According to US News & World Report, Incline High School ranks 11th in the state for overall quality of education.
Incline Village is an acceptable commuting distance from Reno: just about 36 miles or 50 minutes away. But the city itself employs about 5,000 people locally. That’s pretty impressive in a city of just 9,440 individuals.
| Cost of Living | Median Home Price | Largest Industries/Employment Opportunities |
| 24% | $1,128, 900 | Finance, pharma, consulting, education |
Carson City
Carson City is the capital of Nevada and has a population of 59,647. But despite its considerable size and governmental significance, the city delivers a small-town experience. It’s a close-knit community where neighbors find ample opportunities to connect. The city is one of the more diverse cities in Nevada, too, and about 24% of its population is Hispanic.
As a state capital, not surprisingly, the government dominates the job market. There are three army bases in Carson City. In addition, the Carson City school district provides many job opportunities.
Carson City offers outdoor enthusiasts a wide range of recreational activities. Water trails meander through the city. It’s also not far from Lake Tahoe and all it offers, from swimming to fishing to boating in summer to world-class skiing in winter.
Carson City is located in the Carson Dessert — a photographer’s paradise with its sometimes surreal vistas. Both the desert and the Carson National Forest welcome hikers. The city is also home to several municipal parks, where residents enjoy picnicking, playing tennis and running their dogs.
| Cost of Living | Median Home Price | Largest Industries/Employment Opportunities |
| 10.7 | $537,475 | Government, aerospace, manufacturing |
Fernley
Fernley is located in Lyon County, just about a 30-minute drive from the Reno area. It’s known as one of the most affordable places to live in Nevada. Its cost of living is just 3% higher than the national average, while the median household income is over $77,000.
The city of Fernley covers a wide area of nearly 130 square miles — almost as large as Las Vegas. At the time of the 2020 census, its population was 22,985. But the city is growing at a rate of 1,4% annually and its population has increased by 4.63% since then.
Transport, storage and distribution are the largest industries in the city. Several Fortune 500 companies maintain facilities in the area, including Sherwin Williams, Lowe’s, UPS and Walmart. Like its population, the number of job opportunities in the Fernley area is expected to increase, mainly in the sectors that fuel the city’s economy presently.
Fernley is near several popular lakes, as well as the Truckee River, which is about 12 miles away from the city. It’s a popular spot for flyfishing and birdwatching. The city lies in the middle of one of the great migratory bird routes in the US. Golfers can book tee times at one of the many golf courses in the surrounding area. In winter, skiing at some of Nevada’s most popular resorts, including Diamond Peak, is just a short hop away.
| Cost of Living | Median Home Price | Largest Industries/Employment Opportunities |
| 2.9 | $370,000 | Transport, Distribution, Storage |
Verdi
If you lean towards tiny-town living, Verdi, NV, located in Washoe County, is worth a serious look. With a population of just over 1,300 residents, the city offers a peaceful, rural atmosphere. About a third of the town’s residents are seniors, but many young professionals also call Verdi home.
The city’s job market is largely made up of opportunities in Reno, which is about 10 miles away. Restaurants, shops and other amenities can be found in Reno, as well.
Verdi is served by the Washoe School District, but has its own elementary school within the city limits. Parents of young children will appreciate being able to send their kids to school nearby and even have them come home for lunch now and then. Schools in the Washoe school district offer a low student-to-teacher ratio and many extra-curricular activities, including participating in Quiz Bowls, student council and the Future Farmers of America.
As one of Reno’s bedroom communities, offering respite from big-city life and high crime rates while also providing employment opportunities, Verdi is an expensive place to live. But unlike Incline Village — another expensive Nevada town — where many homes are seasonal vacation homes, Verdi’s population is steady year-round, which contributes to its strong sense of community. And the town offers a wide range of outdoor activities that rival the best recreational locations in the state.
| Cost of Living | Median Home Price | Largest Industries/Employment Opportunities |
| 46% | $910,000 | Healthcare, education, casinos |
Mogul
Mogul is another small suburb of Reno, NV, with a population of just over 1,400 people. Niche.com, an organization that evaluates quality of life and education in the US, gives the town an overall A- rating and calls it one of the best places to live in the state. Niche cites the city’s high grades for public education and family life (A-), housing (B+) and the city’s low crime rate as the basis for the town’s overall high marks. But you will pay a price for those benefits: the city has a cost of living that’s about 10% higher than the Nevada average.
Among the benefits of living in Mogul are its high ratio of homeowners to renters and its low property taxes. Like the rest of Nevada, you’ll pay no state income tax if you live in the town. Sales tax is high in Mogul, however, at 8.2%.
Mogul is located just 6.7 miles from Reno, so it offers a wide range of social, entertainment and job opportunities. On any given day, Indeed.com lists upwards of 5,000 jobs nearby Mogul and over 10,000 opportunities in the Reno area. The town is also just 15 miles away from the California state line.
From outdoor adventure to relaxed family fun, Mogul offers residents of all ages and persuasions many recreational opportunities. The town boasts several municipal parks nearby, including Mayberry, Rainbow Ridge and Somersett.
| Cost of Living | Median Home Price | Largest Industries/Employment Opportunities |
| 32.9% | $565,000 | N/A |
Best Places to Live in Nevada FAQs
How We Chose the Best Places to Live in Nevada
We used several measures to come up with our list of the top places to live in Nevada. We considered such factors as cost of living, home prices, the availability of housing, the quality of the public education system and opportunities for entertainment and recreational activities when coming up with our recommendations.
Summary of our Guide to the Best Places to Live in Nevada
Here are some key thoughts to take away from our guide to the best places to live in Nevada:
- From vast deserts to impressive mountain ranges to the grand reaches of Lake Tahoe, Nevada offers unparalleled natural beauty.
- Nevada is an outstanding destination for all kinds of outdoor recreation.
- Nevada’s weather is a high point. It offers a temperate and arid climate that makes the state a comfortable place to live, especially for seniors.
- Nevada’s tourism industry provides a wide range of employment opportunities.
- Nevada is one of the nation’s fastest growing states.
- Those who are fond of big-city living will find a few great places to live. But the state also offers a blend of rural and suburban locations for those who prefer a quieter existence.
