If you’re planning on moving to Nevada, add these cities to your list.
Nevada is a dry, rugged haven of tall mountains, vast desert, and endless possibilities. Most of the state lies within the unique Basin and Range province, characterized by desert landscapes and abrupt changes in elevation, shifting between narrow mountain chains and flat valleys. Two deserts cover most of the state: the dry Mojave Desert to the south, and the cold Great Basin Desert filling the rest.
This varied geography lends itself to an array of outdoor recreation, including hiking, skiing, river rafting, climbing, and more. And with plenty of sunshine, the state has become a popular migration destination, growing by 15% since 2010. Southern Nevada, specifically the Las Vegas Valley, is the most popular spot and where more than 72% of the state’s population lives. Cities like Las Vegas, Henderson, and Paradise are located here. Northwestern Nevada is where a majority of the rest of the population lives, in cities like Reno and Carson City.
Nevada’s climate is predominantly arid and prone to drought – it’s the driest state in the country – but the climate varies widely from north to south. Northern Nevada has long, cold winters, while Southern Nevada has long, dry summers. Summer monsoons are fairly common in the south, while more precipitation in the north falls during the winter and spring.
But which cities in The Silver State are right for you? In this Redfin article, we’ve uncovered the best places to live in Nevada, ranking them on qualities such as affordability, navigability, and number of amenities. You can find more information about our methodology here or at the bottom of the article.
1. Las Vegas, NV
Population:
656,274
Average Commute Time:
25.7 minutes
Per-Capita Income:
$31,521
Median Sale Price:
$435,000
Median Rent Price:
$1,356
Unemployment Rate:
4.3%
Las Vegas tops our list as the best place to live in Nevada. Lovingly known as “Sin City,” Las Vegas is an internationally-renowned resort city in the middle of the Mojave Desert, known for its bright lights, extravagance, and everything else under the sun. Sunny weather is common, too. A relatively affordable cost of living, numerous amenities, easy outdoor access, and a diverse job market also helped it earn top marks.
Las Vegas has seen remarkable growth in the past 20 years. In fact, the metro’s population has nearly doubled since 2000. On top of this, Las Vegas has been a top migration destination since the pandemic for homebuyers seeking sunshine and affordability. However, this popularity has helped push housing costs higher; from January 2021 to March 2024, house prices rose 26.5%.
Known as the “Biggest Little City in the World,” Reno combines a small-town atmosphere with big-city amenities and plenty of things to do, leading to a wonderful place to call home. Reno is located in Northwestern Nevada near the California border, 4,500 feet high in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Outdoor recreation, casinos, large parks, a university, and delicious cuisine are what define this historic city.
Reno sees an average of 300 days of sunshine and 7.5 inches of precipitation. Some winter snow is common, but most falls in the nearby mountains. Reno is also just an hour outside Lake Tahoe and many other lakes and mountains, meaning renowned four-season recreation is a short drive away. Mount Rose is the nearest ski resort.
In part because of its location near outdoor recreation and hip, college-town vibe, Reno has become a very popular place to live. As a result, however, house prices have risen steadily, climbing 23% since January 2021. This has led to increased needs for affordable housing, even as minimum wages rise statewide.
Importantly, the outskirts of Reno sit on the edge of the Wildland Urban Interface, meaning wildfire danger is especially high, particularly in the dry and hot summers. Along with fires, concurrent smoke can cause poor air quality. In fact, Reno has among the worst air quality in the U.S., with smoke and ozone the primary drivers. On the bright side, rainfall is slightly more frequent and drought conditions are generally less severe than around Las Vegas.
Home to a portion of the Strip, Winchester is just south of Downtown Las Vegas and the third-best place to live in Nevada. Winchester is one of many towns south of Las Vegas that often get lumped together. The area offers a lower cost of living than Las Vegas while retaining most of the same upscale amenities. Access to outdoor recreation is also easy.
One major benefit of living in Winchester is its navigability to other parts of the city. The Las Vegas Monorail offers transportation to nearby casinos and hotels in Paradise, which is perfect for a fun night out or if you work in the area. You can also easily walk from one of the stations to nearby amenities, like Allegiant Stadium, where you can watch the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders.
The climate is identical to the rest of the Las Vegas Valley, with dry weather, hot summers, and cool mornings. Additionally, like the rest of the Valley, most of the city’s water comes from Lake Mead, and drought is often a major issue. Nevada actually gets the lowest portion of water from the lake out of seven states and Mexico but uses and reuses it incredibly efficiently.
Next on our list is Paradise, a large Las Vegas suburb just south of Winchester. Known for being home to half of the Las Vegas Strip, many renowned amenities, and a more affordable cost of living, Paradise has it all. Similar to Winchester, the Las Vegas Monorail offers convenient access along the strip to the most popular amenities, along with plenty of bus stops. However, areas around the Strip can be quite loud, and nightlife can make living in the area difficult.
Paradise is much more than just a vacation town. The city stretches pretty far south past Interstate 215 and east toward Whitney, and contains many neighborhoods, parks, and public spaces along its gridded streets. Some popular hangout spots include Sunset Park, Duck Creek Park, and the Saint Rose Parkway Trail. The famous Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay is also within city limits. In general, Paradise is well-liked for being minutes away from big-city amenities while retaining a suburban feel.
For those who prefer outdoor excursions, everything you need is within an hour from Paradise. Sloan Canyon and Red Rock Canyon are two of the most popular for quick day trips, while heading out to Charleston Peak is perfect for a longer outing. Lee Canyon is generally where people visit for four-season recreation, with hiking and climbing in the summer, and skiing in the winter.
Located just east of Reno, Sparks comes in at number five on our list of the best places to live in Nevada. Sparks and Reno are often lumped together due to their similar amenities, but they have some distinct differences. For example, Sparks is generally quieter, more suburban, and a bit more affordable for homebuyers. Both cities have easy access to the outdoors and plenty of amenities, but Sparks is particularly known for its outlet malls. The Outlets at Legends is the most popular.
Interestingly, one of the city’s most popular parks, Sparks Marina Park Lake, began as a gravel pit but filled when the Truckee River flooded in 1997. It’s now a well-used marina for kayaking, rushing, and more. You can head south to see the Reno Rodeo, too.
Like many cities in the west, Sparks was born as a railroad town, which helped give it its nickname of “Rail City.” As more people moved in, the city expanded east into the floodplains and hills. Trains still regularly chug through town.
The Truckee River Flows through the heart of the city and is the site of numerous parks, the most famous of which is Rock Park. Cottonwood Park and Gateway Park are other options. The Tahoe Pyramid Trail also runs through the city and follows the river for nearly 114 miles, consisting of dirt, paved, and historic roads. The trail terminus is still being extended and will eventually run all the way to Pyramid Lake. Be sure to purchase a day-use pass to ride the final stretch starting in Wadsworth.
Spring Valley is primarily known for being a quiet refuge just five minutes west from Las Vegas, but it has a lot going for it beyond that. There are golf courses, casinos, and all the grocery stores and restaurants you would expect within a short drive from home. Rainbow Springs, The Arroyo Market Square, and the Grand Canyon Parkway are some popular shopping centers among locals.
Like the rest of the valley, Spring Valley has been undergoing a tremendous amount of growth recently, as people look to spread out around Las Vegas. A large number of people moving to the area desire sunshine and affordability, but the popularity has helped cause house prices to rise 21% since January 2021. You can commonly find new retail and housing construction throughout the area.
Many green spaces are reserved for golf courses and private neighborhoods, like Rhodes Ranch and Spanish Trail, but there are parks in the area, too. Charlie Frias Park and Desert Breeze Park are two well-known spots. And remember, you’re just minutes away from open mountain trails, lakes, and more.
As its name implies, North Las Vegas (NLV) is just north of Las Vegas, spreading into the vast Mojave Desert. Development generally ends at the Bruce Woodbury Beltway, though. Affordability has long been one of the top selling points of NLV, with median sale prices below Las Vegas. Recently, though, NLV’s prices have begun to catch up.
North Las Vegas was fairly unknown until it began undergoing tremendous growth starting in the early 2000s. Since then, it’s attracted large employers like Amazon and Kroger and welcomed tens of thousands of people to its many neighborhoods. Paired with its favorable tax environment and relative affordability, the city can be a great place to buy a home and start or continue your career.
Four-season recreation is popular in the area, with parks and trails weaving through the city. The Lower Las Vegas Wash Trail and Craig Ranch Regional Park are some of the most popular spaces for walking, cycling, and enjoying the endless sunshine. You can even discover ancient history at the Ice Age Fossils State Park and compare yourself to Pleistocene life. Summertime recreation can be hard, though, especially as the climate continues to warm.
For those looking for some catered entertainment, the Las Vegas Motor Speedway is in the far northeast of town and holds events ranging from NASCAR races to concerts. Casinos, cinemas, and restaurants are generally located closer to the Strip or in shopping centers.
Located along the Las Vegas Wash southeast of Las Vegas, Whitney is the eighth-best place to live in Nevada on our list. Formerly known as East Las Vegas, Whitney is a small suburb known for its affordability, numerous amenities, and access to the outdoors. Importantly, though, Whitney has seen a rise in poverty rates since the early 200s, but affordable housing developments are in progress.
Boulder Highway is the main strip that runs through the center of town all the way to Henderson, and is where most amenities are located. Of course, you can easily drive 20 minutes to the Strip for everything you might need. Commuting to work may take a while, though. The Boulder Highway Express is your best public transportation option into Downtown Las Vegas.
One of the most popular attractions in the city is the Clark County Wetlands. Created by the restorative Las Vegas Wash, the Wetlands is a desert oasis that features trails, scenery, and plenty of wildlife. The area is especially popular during the hot summer months. Other parks include the Hollywood Regional Park and Whitney Mesa Nature Preserve.
You can also just about hike your way to Lake Las Vegas and its serene views, and you’re not far from Boulder City, the Hoover Dam, and Lake Mead. Lake Mead actually offers some of the region’s best boating, fishing, and summertime recreation, as long as it has sufficient water supply.
The capital of Nevada and closest city to Tahoe, Carson City is the ninth city on our list. Carson City is a small town that has seen steady growth over the years due to its desirable location, small-town feel, and easy access to outdoor recreation. Plus, you’re just 30 minutes from shops and restaurants in Reno. A majority of the population lives in Eagle Valley, east of downtown.
Like most cities in Nevada, housing prices have skyrocketed in recent years, pricing out many long-time residents. For example, since 2021, house prices have risen by $100,000. Rent prices are more affordable, fortunately.
Outdoor recreation is a breeze in Carson City. Two massive lakes, Lake Tahoe and Washoe Lake, are within a 30-minute drive from downtown and provide all of the year-round recreation you could need. Plenty of hikes, climbing spots, golf courses, riverine trails, and gorgeous viewpoints are on your doorstep, too. Kings Canyon Waterfalls and Carson River Park are good spots for a quick jaunt.
The climate in Carson City is similar to Reno but with less snow and more precipitation overall. Temperatures are also generally mild year-round, averaging 3.3°F cooler.
Summerlin South rounds out our list as the tenth-best place to live in Nevada. A small suburb 14 miles west of Las Vegas, Summerlin South is an upscale town adjacent to Red Rock Canyon. It’s often confused with the nearby Summerlin neighborhood. Summerlin South is known for its many golf courses, laid-back lifestyle, and easy access to downtown Las Vegas and outdoor recreation. Wildfire risks are a major concern in the area, though.
Outdoor recreation is a must in Summerlin South. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is right on the town’s doorstep and is one of the most popular spots in the entire Las Vegas Valley. Red Rock contains 195,819 acres of trails, roads, campsites, climbing routes, red rock sandstone peaks, and ancient petroglyphs, providing something for everyone to enjoy.
One of the benefits of living in Summerlin South is the convenient access to all of Las Vegas, mixed with a quiet and relaxed place to call home. Its many neighborhoods, including Peccole Ranch and The Lakes, offer master-planned, secluded communities that allow you to unwind. And you don’t have to travel far for most amenities, either; Downtown Summerlin and Canyon Pointe have everything you need, including grocery stores, restaurants, ice skating rinks, shopping centers, and casinos.
Redfin’s Best Places to Live rankings are meant to help home searchers make an informed decision when choosing where to live. To attempt to measure the overall quality of a metro area, each ranking takes into account several key factors, including access to healthcare, open outdoor space, navigability, housing trends, employment statistics, income, and travel time to work. Only metros with a population of 20,000 or greater were considered for our Nevada list. More information about our methodology can be found here.
Data valid May 2024. This article is for informational and educational purposes only.
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Jamie is part of the content marketing team and is passtionate about climate change, housing affordability, and housing market trends. His dream home is a small, modern, and minimalist forested home where he can hear the wind blowing at night.
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