Are you considering making the State of Nevada your new home for work? The Silver State offers something for everyone. Retirees, professionals, singles and families all enjoy Nevada’s exciting nightlife, festive events, stunning national parks and abundance of outdoor activities.
There’s truly no shortage of things to see and do while living and working in Nevada. In addition, the lack of state income tax makes it an especially attractive place to live and work.
Not sure where exactly to move? From small, family-friendly towns to large, bustling suburbs, here are the 28 best cities in Nevada to call home this year.
- Top 28 Exciting Cities to work in Nevada
- Where is the Coolest Place in Nevada?
- What is the most Dangerous city in Nevada?
- What is the Cheapest city to live in Nevada?
Top 28 Exciting Cities to work in Nevada
1. Boulder City
Located just 30 minutes outside the glitz and glam of Las Vegas, Boulder City is perfect for those seeking outdoor adventure. The city is home to the Hoover Dam, an iconic engineering marvel, as well as the Lake Mead Recreational Area.
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In addition to Lake Mead’s water activities, the recreational area offers trails, scenic drives and campsites for the enjoyment of residents. Boulder City also gets high marks from AreaVibes for its amenities, weather, schools and low crime rate.
Median Listing Home Price: $339,800
Cost of living: The cost of living in Boulder City is 1 percent higher than the Nevada average and 4 percent higher than the national average, according to AreaVibes.
Population: 15,977 residents
2. Elko
Looking to experience the Wild West of Nevada? Consider moving to Elko. Located in northeastern Nevada, the city is home to plenty of real cowboys, scenic views and outdoor adventures. Residents are also able to enjoy a number of popular parks – perfect for picnics, sports activities and gatherings.
In addition, the city is plenty affordable with low home prices and low sales tax. Elko also gets high marks for its abundance of amenities and high income per capital.
Median Listing Home Price: $279,500
Cost of living: The cost of living in Elko is equal to the Nevada average and 3 percent higher than the U.S. average, according to AreaVibes.
Population: 20,341 residents
3. Henderson
The second largest city in Nevada, the City of Henderson offers residents all the amenities of a big city without the crime. In fact, the city is so safe that Niche.com named Henderson the second best suburb to raise a family in the Las Vegas area.
The city is home to a number of bike paths, trails, golf courses, lakes and other recreational amenities. Henderson also received high marks from AreaVibes for its A+ amenities, low crime rate, stable housing market, good schools and sunny weather.
Median Listing Home Price: $354,700
Cost of living: The cost of living in Henderson is 4 percent higher than the Nevada average and 8 percent higher than the national average, according to AreaVibes.
Population: 310,390 residents
4. Incline Village
Looking for the country club lifestyle in a picturesque part of the state? Consider moving to Incline Village. Located on Lake Tahoe, this stunning community is a true Nevada paradise (albeit a pricey paradise). The wealthy community is known for its relaxing lake beaches, watersport activities, nearby skiing trails, and the famed Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival.
Incline Village gets high marks from AreaVibes for its fabulous amenities, low crime rate, excellent schools and high income per capita.
Median Listing Home Price: $995,000
Cost of living: The cost of living in Incline Village is 66 percent higher than the Nevada average and 72 percent higher than the national average, according to AreaVibes.
Population: 8,777 residents
5. Las Vegas
There’s more to love about Sin City than just its hotels, casinos and exciting nightlife. The city is also an excellent place to live for families and professionals.
Residents enjoy exceptional dining, affordable neighborhoods and plenty of arts and culture outside of the hustle and bustle of the Las Vegas Strip. The city is also located near a number of famed outdoor attractions and state parks. AreaVibes gives Las Vegas high marks for its many amenities, stable housing market and sunny weather.
Median Listing Home Price: $299,000
Cost of living: The cost of living in Las Vegas is 3 percent lower than the Nevada average and equal to the national average.
Population: 644,644 residents
6. Mesquite
Looking for an affordable place to retire? Mesquite is rated by Niche.com as the number one best place to retire in Nevada. The southeastern Nevada city offers a number of resort golf courses, casinos and parks for residents.
Retirees will also find plenty of 55+ adult communities to choose from when house hunting. AreaVibes gives Mesquite high marks for its abundance of amenities, low crime rate and year-round sunny weather.
Median Listing Home Price: $279,000
Cost of living: The cost of living in Mesquite is 5 percent lower than the Nevada average and 2 percent lower than the U.S. average, according to AreaVibes.
Population: 19,079 residents
7. Mogul
Professionals, families and retirees looking to move to a picturesque suburban town will find it in Mogul, Nevada. The city is rated by Niche.com as the number one best suburb to live in Nevada.
Mogul boasts a strong community feel, excellent public schools and an easy commute to the neighboring City of Reno. AreaVibes gives Mogul high marks for its exceptionally low crime rate, high income per capita and highly rated schools.
Median Listing Home Price: $459,900
Cost of living: The cost of living in Mogul is 21 percent higher than the Nevada average and 25 percent higher than the U.S. average, according to AreaVibes.
Population: 1,290 residents
8. Reno
Known as “America’s Biggest Little City,” the City of Reno offers something for everyone. Young professionals will find plenty of good jobs, affordable apartments and an eclectic mix of bars and restaurants. Families will find excellent public schools and kid-friendly activities.
Retirees will find numerous things to see and do in the Reno area, including outdoor sites such as the Truckee River, the Sierra Nevada mountain range and Lake Tahoe (located nearby). AreaVibes gives Reno high marks for its excellent amenities and stable housing market.
Median Listing Home Price: $420,000
Cost of living: The cost of living in Reno is 6 percent higher than the Nevada average and 10 percent higher than the U.S. average, according to AreaVibes.
Population: 250,998 residents
9. Sparks
Located just a short drive away from the booming City of Reno, Sparks offers residents a suburban feel with urban amenities. The city is home is a number of popular restaurants and bars as well as plenty of parks and highly rated schools.
The city’s affordability and family-friendly atmosphere also attracts young professionals and families looking to live in and around the Reno area. AreaVibes gives Sparks high marks for its abundance of amenities and stable housing market.
Median Listing Home Price: $365,000
Cost of living: The cost of living in Sparks is 4 percent higher than the Nevada average and 7 percent higher than the national average, according to AreaVibes.
Population: 104,246 residents
10. Verdi
Rated as the second best suburb to raise a family in Nevada by Niche.com, the small town of Verdi offers residents a rural feel and top-rated public schools.
Thanks to the town’s safe surroundings, excellent schools and strong community feel, Verdi is a popular choice among Nevada families. AreaVibes also gives the town high marks for its highly rated schools and exceptionally low crime rate.
Median Listing Home Price: $549,000
Cost of living: The cost of living in Verdi is 14 percent higher than the Nevada average and 18 percent higher than the national average, according to AreaVibes.
Population: 1,450 residents
11. Minden
Minden is what is known as an unincorporated town, meaning it is not governed by a local municipal corporation. With 3,100 people calling the town home, there is nothing unincorporated about the community here.
Only a 30-minute drive from Lake Tahoe, opportunities to get active and outdoors are in no short supply from a base in Minden. Just an hour from Reno too, creating endless options for those willing to commute to work or want to be close to the city lights.
Real estate in Minden is far from abundant, with 67% of people living in owned homes, a lack of properties on the market can be taken as a reflection of resident satisfaction; very few want to fly the coop!
12. Sun Valley
With a population of 19,663, there are a reasonable amount of job opportunities within Sun Valley, as well as health and fitness facilities and nightlife venues too.
Peavine Peak can be seen in the distance from Sun Valley and Red Hill Park is a popular green space enjoyed by locals. With median home value lying at $99,000, Sun Valley is one of the best places in Nevada to invest in property.
With access to good schools in no short supply, anyone seeking a charming place to raise the family that doesn’t cost the earth, Sun Valley is worthy of consideration.
13. Paradise
This neighbourhood can be found in the central Las Vegas city. There are over 100 public schools in the area but few are performing at the ideal A-rating standard. Parents will have to work hard to get their children into the preferred school here.
As a city worker it gets little better than Paradise and for young people aspiring to get onto the property ladder while focusing on their city career, this too is a great area to live. Median monthly rent is just $872 and there are plenty of rental accommodation options available in the Paradise area.
14. Carson City
Carson City, officially the Consolidated Municipality of Carson City, is an independent city and the capital of the U.S. state of Nevada, named after the mountain man Kit Carson. As of the 2010 census, the population was 55,274, making it the sixth largest city in Nevada.
The majority of the town’s population lives in Eagle Valley, on the eastern edge of the Carson Range, a branch of the Sierra Nevada, about 30 miles (50 km) south of Reno.
15. Virginia City
Virginia City is a town in Nevada, southeast of Reno. It’s home to Victorian buildings built during a 19th-century mining boom. These include the reportedly haunted Washoe Club and stately Piper’s Opera House.
Collections at The Way It Was Museum feature mining artifacts and maps. Fourth Ward School Museum has an 1876 classroom and history displays. Silver ore and rock drills are among the exhibits at Chollar Mine
16. Laughlin
Laughlin is an unincorporated town and census-designated place in Clark County, Nevada, United States. It is located on the Colorado River, directly across from the much larger Bullhead City, Arizona. Laughlin lies 90 miles (140 km) south of Las Vegas, in the far southern tip of Nevada, and is known for its gaming and water recreation.
As of the 2010 census, the population was 7,323. The nearby communities of Bullhead City, Arizona; Needles, California; Fort Mohave, Arizona; and Mohave Valley, Arizona, bring the area’s total population to about 100,000.[4][5] Laughlin is also 286 miles (460 km) northeast of Los Angeles.
17. Pahrump
Pahrump, Nevada is easy to reach and hard to forget. It’s an hour west of Las Vegas, a city so famous it needs no introduction, and an hour east of Death Valley National Park, a place known for extremes.
Pahrump truly is the heart of the desert and the perfect place to enjoy the best of southern Nevada. Pahrump is home to big attractions and events. There’s more to do here than you may think.
18. Tonopah
Smack-dab between Reno and Las Vegas, at the junction of U.S. Routes 6 and 95, the home of one of the biggest mining booms in Nevada has another feather in its cap. Tonopah, Nevada, sits under some of the darkest skies of the United States, making this remote old mining town one of the best stargazing spots in the country.
That’s according to USA Today, although the locals will tell you the same because on a clear night they can look up and see the Milky Way and literally thousands of sparkling stars.
Moonless nights are the best nights to take on the starry night skies of Tonopah, especially if you stop by Clair Blackburn Memorial Stargazing Park.
19. Ely
Ely is the largest city and county seat of White Pine County, Nevada, United States. Ely was founded as a stagecoach station along the Pony Express and Central Overland Route. In 1906 copper was discovered. Ely’s mining boom came later than the other towns along US 50.
The railroads connecting the transcontinental railroad to the mines in Austin, Nevada and Eureka, Nevada have long been removed, but the railroad to Ely is preserved as a heritage railway by the Nevada Northern Railway and known as the Ghost Train of Old Ely. As of the 2010 census, the population was 4,255.
20. Fernley
In 2018, Fernley, NV had a population of 19.6k people with a median age of 40 and a median household income of $63,880. Between 2017 and 2018 the population of Fernley, NV grew from 19,261 to 19,573, a 1.62% increase and its median household income grew from $57,292 to $63,880, a 11.5% increase.
The 5 largest ethnic groups in Fernley, NV are White (Non-Hispanic) (73.8%), White (Hispanic) (10.4%), Other (Hispanic) (5.25%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (3.41%), and American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) (1.7%). NaNk% of the people in Fernley, NV speak a non-English language, and 97.4% are U.S. citizens.
The median property value in Fernley, NV is $187,200, and the homeownership rate is 67.4%. Most people in Fernley, NV commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 27.8 minutes. The average car ownership in Fernley, NV is 2 cars per household.
21. Gardenerville
In 2018, Gardnerville, NV had a population of 6.15k people with a median age of 42 and a median household income of $50,700. Between 2017 and 2018 the population of Gardnerville, NV grew from 6,034 to 6,148, a 1.89% increase and its median household income grew from $47,435 to $50,700, a 6.88% increase.
The 5 largest ethnic groups in Gardnerville, NV are White (Non-Hispanic) (74.1%), White (Hispanic) (16%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (4.42%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (1.92%), and Other (Hispanic) (1.43%). NaNk% of the people in Gardnerville, NV speak a non-English language, and 93.5% are U.S. citizens.
The median property value in Gardnerville, NV is $250,500, and the homeownership rate is 49.6%. Most people in Gardnerville, NV commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 16.7 minutes. The average car ownership in Gardnerville, NV is 2 cars per household.
22. Spanish Springs
Spanish Springs is a smaller city that offers a high quality of life for its residents. The average household income is $78,604. The cost of homeownership is considerably higher in this area which is more on the upscale end of the spectrum.
The median home value is set at $248,000 for 2019. The crime rate is moderate and there are plenty of nearby amenities including dining, shopping, entertainment venues, and outdoor recreational activities.
23. Spring Valley
Spring Valley is one of the larger metropolitan areas in Nevada. It’s an urban neighborhood that is situated to the southwest of the city of Las Vegas. The population is the most diverse among residents in the state.
It’s a suburb of Las Vegas, so the average monthly rent is a bit higher at $1,050 per month, but it’s close to all of the benefits including public transportation, ample job opportunities, entertainment, and vibrant nightlife. This is one of the most highly desired suburbs in the city.
24. Winnemucca
Winnemucca is another small town in Nevada that made it to the top 3 of our best places to live list. This little town has a high median household income of $69,562 per year with the median home cost of $190,562, making it an affordable place to live for homeowners.
The median rent is among the lowest in the state at just $821 per month. The unemployment rate is 6.3% with a poverty rate of just 10.2%.
25. Carlin
Carlin, Nevada is about as close to perfection as it comes. If you value rural living, then you’ll love this small and cozy community. Although the unemployment rate is high at 11.8%, the poverty rate is remarkably low at 5.7%, coming in at almost one-third of the poverty numbers in Elko.
The median income in Carlin is $74,148 and when compared to the median home cost of $104,400, and rent is $995 per month, it is a very affordable place to live.
26. Green Valley
Green Valley is a moderate-sized neighborhood in Henderson. This neighborhood has a low crime rate and the crimes that do occur are petty relating to minor incidents. It’s a very safe neighborhood with an excellent and responsive police force who make their presence known.
This helps residents to feel safer and it discourages criminal activities. The public schools get a B+ rating, which makes this a great choice for raising a family.
27. Enterprise
Enterprise is one of the larger metropolitan places in the state of Nevada. It’s also ranked as the 10th best place in the state to live. The area is growing and the city offers a host of amenities with shopping, dining, entertainment, sports, and even more.
It gets an overall score of A- on the report card with schools getting a B grade. While they’re not the best in the nation they are rated as being above average. The crime rate is also moderate and most residents feel safe in their homes and when they’re out and about.
28. Kingsbury
Kingsbury is one of the smallest towns on our list of the top 20 places to live in Nevada for 2019. With a population of just over 2,000, it’s a close-knit community and an exclusive place to live. The median household income is $64,000 per year.
The cost of living is extremely high in this town with the median home value at $405,000, with some going as high as $800,000 to a million. It’s on the southeast edge of Lake Tahoe, which gives you an idea of how exclusive this little community is. It’s a rural community with some of the most beautiful views in the country.
Where is the Coolest Place in Nevada?
Nearly three quarters of the people living in Nevada live in the Las Vegas area, but the Silver State offers many other great places to live. The best places to live in Nevada include Reno, Henderson and Paradise.
Beyond the many casinos that Nevada is known for, the state offers beautiful natural areas such as Lake Mead, Cathedral Gorge State Park and Lake Tahoe. Tourism, mining and cattle ranching anchor the economy in Nevada. There is no personal income tax or corporate income tax in Nevada.
What is the most Dangerous city in Nevada?
North Las Vegas was ranked the most dangerous city in Nevada in a 24/7 Wall St. analysis examining cities with at least 20,000 in population that posted the highest violent crime rates per state.
North Las Vegas recorded a violent crime rate of 1,015 per 100,000 people in 2017, based on the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report. In comparison, the 2017 national violent crime rate was 383 per 100,000.
The city reported a total of 2,461 violent crimes in 2017, according to the study, and its poverty rate was pegged at 15.1 percent.
The annual unemployment rate in North Las Vegas was 5.3.
The 24/7 Wall St. analysis, which examined crimes such as murder, rape, robbery and arson, found that almost every state had at least one municipality where violent crime dwarfed the national average. No city in Hawaii, however, had a greater crime rate than that of the entire state.
Data was not available for North Carolina.
Most Dangerous Cities by State
| State | City | 2017 Violent Crimes per 100,000 People | Number of violent crimes in 2017 | Poverty Rate | Annual Unemployment Rate |
| Alabama | Anniston | 3,434 | 754 | 29.5% | 5.6% |
| Alaska | Anchorage | 1,203 | 3,564 | 8.1% | 5.5% |
| Arizona | Tucson | 802 | 4,268 | 24.1% | 4.7% |
| Arkansas | Pine Bluff | 1,847 | 795 | 30.4% | 6.0% |
| California | Stockton | 1,415 | 4,379 | 22.4% | 6.9% |
| Colorado | Pueblo | 1,053 | 1,167 | 24.4% | 5.3% |
| Connecticut | Hartford | 1,093 | 1,343 | 30.5% | 7.0% |
| Delaware | Wilmington | 1,596 | 1,142 | 27.0% | 5.3% |
| Florida | Riviera Beach | 1,370 | 473 | 22.4% | 4.4% |
| Georgia | East Point | 1,307 | 467 | 24.8% | 5.4% |
| Hawaii | Honolulu | 246 | 2,440 | 11.6% | N/A |
| Idaho | Pocatello | 443 | 243 | 20.2% | 2.7% |
| Illinois | East St. Louis | 2,752 | 741 | 43.1% | 8.3% |
| Indiana | Indianapolis | 1,334 | 11,616 | 20.1% | 3.5% |
| Iowa | Clinton | 1,155 | 295 | 16.0% | 3.4% |
| Kansas | Wichita | 1,022 | 3,998 | 16.9% | 3.9% |
| Kentucky | Louisville | 647 | 4,428 | 16.7% | N/A |
| Louisiana | Monroe | 2,225 | 1,098 | 34.8% | 6.2% |
| Maine | Biddeford | 360 | 77 | 17.0% | 3.1% |
| Maryland | Baltimore | 2,027 | 12,430 | 22.4% | 5.7% |
| Massachusetts | Holyoke | 1,083 | 438 | 28.6% | 5.5% |
| Michigan | Detroit | 2,057 | 13,796 | 37.9% | 9.0% |
| Minnesota | Minneapolis | 1,101 | 4,614 | 20.7% | 2.5% |
| Mississippi | Meridian | 500 | 194 | 29.7% | 5.3% |
| Missouri | St. Louis | 2,082 | 6,461 | 25.0% | 3.8% |
| Montana | Helena | 685 | 217 | 15.6% | 3.1% |
| Nebraska | Omaha | 647 | 2,909 | 15.1% | 3.1% |
| Nevada | North Las Vegas | 1,015 | 2,461 | 15.1% | 5.3% |
| New Hampshire | Manchester | 673 | 745 | 14.9% | 2.6% |
| New Jersey | Camden | 1,968 | 1,462 | 37.4% | 8.9% |
| New Mexico | Gallup | 1,543 | 352 | 29.9% | 4.9% |
| New York | Newburgh Town | 1,236 | 24 | 31.2% | 5.2% |
| North Dakota | Fargo | 403 | 497 | 13.9% | 2.3% |
| Ohio | Cleveland | 1,557 | 5,999 | 35.2% | 6.5% |
| Oklahoma | Shawnee | 1,223 | 388 | 21.1% | 3.9% |
| Oregon | Portland | 516 | 3,349 | 16.2% | 3.6% |
| Pennsylvania | McKeesport | 2,125 | 445 | 33.1% | 4.3% |
| Rhode Island | Providence | 534 | 960 | 26.9% | 5.1% |
| South Carolina | Myrtle Beach | 1,577 | 523 | 23.8% | 4.8% |
| South Dakota | Rapid City | 640 | 480 | 16.3% | 3.1% |
| Tennessee | Memphis | 2,003 | 13,077 | 26.9% | 4.6% |
| Texas | Texarkana | 1,262 | 478 | 24.9% | 4.9% |
| Utah | South Salt Lake | 947 | 235 | 22.5% | N/A |
| Vermont | Burlington | 313 | 132 | 24.4% | 2.3% |
| Virginia | Petersburg | 794 | 252 | 27.6% | 6.1% |
| Washington | Tacoma | 814 | 1,737 | 17.0% | 5.5% |
| West Virginia | Wheeling | 1,221 | 332 | 15.5% | 4.9% |
| Wisconsin | Milwaukee | 1,597 | 9,507 | 27.4% | 4.0% |
| Wyoming | Rock Springs | 465 | 111 | 11.8% | N/A |
What is the Cheapest city to live in Nevada?
The cost of living in Nevada is fairly low. Some Nevada cities are extraordinarily cheap to live in, partially because it takes a different type of person to live in the desert. If you are looking to save money and pay as little as possible for housing, you have come to the right place.
Let’s take a look the Silver State cities with the lowest cost of living.
1. Caliente
Caliente is just about the cheapest place to live in Nevada. Though Caliente has a mere 1,124 residents, its home price to income ratio is just above two. The city’s income to rent ratio is over 105, making it the cheapest place to rent in the entire state.
However, the median income level for Caliente residents is $60,455 so the challenge lies in obtaining gainful employment. Thankfully, Caliente’s median home value in 2019 was $126,700.
2. Carlin
Caliente is a diminutive Nevada city with some incredibly cheap homes. Named after William Passmore Carlin, a famous Civil War general, this little city has the cutest slogan: “Where the Train Stops…And the Gold Rush Begins”. If you are willing to live in a town with merely 2,361 people, Carlin just might be the place for you.
Located by Elko County’s western border, Carlin is only 23 miles from Elko. Plenty of Carlin residents make the commute to Elko. In fact, Carlin is officially a part of Elko’s Micropolitan Statistical Area. Carlin residents earn about $74,148 per year yet the average Carlin home price is $104,400.
3. Ely
The median home value in Ely is a mere $126,300. The typical Ely resident earns about $56,000 per year. Though only 4,124 people live in this city, the quality of life is fairly high as most residents have a considerable amount of discretionary income thanks to the low cost of living.
Elko’s median rent is a mere $698 per month, making it affordable for people who work low-wage jobs as well as professionals.
4. Lovelock
Lovelock is certainly small yet it is affordable for people of all income levels. A mere 1,773 people live in Lovelock. The city’s home price to income ratio is 2.1. This ratio is the third lowest in all of Nevada. The income to rent ratio is 65, making Lovelock the eight cheapest Nevada city for renters.
The drawback to living in Lovelock is the fact that the city’s median income is a mere $40,458. Here is the silver lining: Lovelock’s median home value in 2019 is a paltry $86,000.
5. Yerington
Located in Lyon County, Yerington has 3,077 people. The city’s home price to income ratio is 2.5, making it the fifth most affordable place to live in the Silver State. Yerington’s income to rent ratio is 64.9, which represents the ninth cheapest in Nevada.
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Yerington residents earn a median income of $37,297. If you can find a job in Yerington, there is a good chance you will qualify for a home mortgage simply because this part of Nevada has egregiously low home prices.
Named after a former Superintendent of the Virginia and Truckee Railroad, Henry M. Yerington, this cozy little Nevada city has a median home value of $92,100.
Final Thought
Employment is a key factor when considering your relocation options in Nevada. Ensuring that there are plenty of high paying jobs in your new city plays an important part in deciding where you want to relocate to.
We came up with the best cities in Nevada for employment and jobs. Relocating is stressful enough, knowing that you are choosing a city with good job opportunities should at least alleviate some of that stress!
Listed above are Nevada cities with the best employment and job opportunities with a population over 5,000. These cities have a mix of low unemployment rates as well as high median income and income per capita.
Unemployment rates continue to fall and hiring is up, so the rest will depend on which city you choose to relocate to. This list will help to ensure that the city you select has strong job opportunities.
