Whether you're just starting to consider relocating for another state or you've already planned the logistics of your interstate move, uprooting your life and settling down somewhere new can be as stressful as it is exciting. To help you decide where to move and get to know your know state, our Where To Move in 2021 guide explores the unique attributes of some of the most popular states people move to, including cost of living, climate and geography, employment, and cultural attractions.
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1. Fast facts
Find out where the over 127,000 Americans who moved to Nevada in 2018 relocated from.
2. Cost of Living in Nevada
We've collected data on house prices, household income, and cost of living for Seattle.
3. Nevada Climate and Geography
Compare the Silver State's average temperature and precipitation against the national average.
4. Employment in Nevada
Discover the best cities in the state for jobs and top industries in Nevada.
5. Nevada Culture and Entertainment
Learn about Nevada's unique food and drink, arts and culture, outdoor activities, and sports.
Fast Facts |
|
|---|---|
| Total population: 3,080,156 Median age: 38.4 |
Capital: Carson City Largest city: Las Vegas |
Over 127,000 Americans relocated to Nevada state in 2018. Where do people come from?
State |
2018 |
2017 |
Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 50,707 | 47,513 | +6.3% |
| Arizona | 6,999 | 5,508 | 21.3% |
| Texas | 5,129 | 5,346 | -4.2% |
| Hawaii | 4,959 | 4,231 | +14.7% |
| Florida | 4,018 | 5,825 | -45% |
2. Cost of Living in Nevada
*Cost of living data is not available at the state level. In this article, cost of living data is based on the largest city in the state.
House prices in Las Vegas are slightly higher—8.5%—than the national average.
The median household income is 10.7% lower than the rest of the country. Despite a slightly higher than average monthly rent, the typical cost of living is also about the same as the national average.
Here's how the cost of living in Las Vegas breaks down:
Cost of Living |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas, NV | United States | Difference | |
| Rent | $1,132 | $1,097.00 | +31.% |
| Basic utilties (based on 915 sq ft apartment) | $163.67 | $162.98 | +0.4% |
| Food (per person, monthly) | $270.22 | $323.75 | -19.8% |
| TOTAL | $1,585.89 | $1,583.73 | -1.1% |
JACKPOT: Nevada does not collect income tax, thanks to sales taxes collected from tourism and gambling. Nevada is not a tax-free paradise though—the Silver State adds a statewide 6.85% sales tax, and local sales taxes can reach up to 8.265%.
2. Nevada Climate and Geography
Perhaps surprisingly, Nevada is the most mountainous state in the United States, with over 150 named mountain ranges, including the Battle Mountains, Monitor Mountains, Sierra Nevadas, and Snake Mountains. Over 30 peaks exceed 11,000 feet. Nevada is also home to the Great Basin, a series of depressions, flats, dry lakes, and salt pans that stretch across most of the state.
The Sierra Nevada mountain range blocks moisture from the Pacific Ocean, making Nevada the driest state in the USA. Despite the lack of precipitation, the Silver State’s large elevation change leads to a diverse climate that ranges from cool mountain forests in the north to scorching lowland deserts in the south.
Geography highlights
- Boundary Peak: The highest peak in the Silver State, at 13,140 feet tall.
Mojave Desert: This massive desert crosses the California border into southern Nevada, featuring hot, dry, and windy conditions and copper-colored mountains. - Red Rock Canyon: Famous for its bright red rock formations, this National Conservation Area is just 17 miles outside of Las Vegas.
Lake Mead: The nation’s largest reservoir, created by the Hoover Dam.
4. Employment in Nevada
Nevada makes Forbes’ list of the best states for business in the #13 spot, with 3.2% job growth.
Four cities made WalletHub’s annual list of the best cities for jobs, with Reno in the top spot at #80 and North Las Vegas near the bottom of the list at 178.
- THE GOOD: Reno exhibits the second highest employment growth in the nation, thanks to continuing efforts to diversify its economic focus beyond gaming and tourism to include more tech startups, clean energy, and research and development. It’s now home to outposts of Apple and Microsoft, as well as Tesla Motors Inc.’s Gigafactory.
- THE BAD: Over the past five years, Nevada’s unemployment rate has been the worst in the country.
Rank |
City |
Score |
|---|---|---|
| 80 | Reno | 52.93 |
| 159 | Henderson | 43.83 |
| 162 | Las Vegas | 43.59 |
| 178 | North Las Vegas | 38.85 |
Top industries in Nevada include:
- Tourism and hospitality
- Mining
- Logistics
- Manufacturing
- Aerospace
Major employers and corporations with headquarters in Nevada include:
- Caesars Entertainment Corporation
- MGM Resorts International
- Wynn Resorts
- Zappos
5. Nevada Culture and Entertainment
While Las Vegas attracts millions of visitors from around the world every year, locals know that there’s way more to Nevada than Sin City.
Food and drink
Las Vegas has culinary options ranging from cheap diner eats to Michelin-starred gourmet experiences that will satisfy even the most discerning foodies. Craft beer lovers will appreciate the 21 breweries located across the state, and the many beer festivals held throughout the year.
Arts and culture
Las Vegas is a mecca for headlining musicians and performances, from spectacular Cirque du Soleil performances to musical residencies including Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Van Morrison, Aerosmith, ZZ Top, Cher, and Mariah Carey. Not a fan of over-the-top performances? Head to Burning Man instead—every year in late summer, the Black Rock Desert is transformed into a utopian society, and the state’s fifth largest city.
Outdoor activities
Nevada may be the driest state in the nation, but there’s no shortage of outdoor activities to enjoy across the state. Highlights include:
- Mount Rose Ski Tahoe: Ski lovers, rejoice. Covering 2,100 acres with a base elevation of 8,260 feet, Mount Rose boasts vertical drops of 1,800 feet, 60+ trails, and three terrain parks.
- Valley of Fire State Park: The oldest and largest state park in Nevada is only an hour from Las Vegas.
- Red Rock Canyon: Just 17 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip, Red Rock National Conservation Area spans nearly 200,000 acres, with over 30 miles of hiking trails.
- Mount Charleston and the Spring Mountains: Mount Charleston rises nearly 12,000 feet, with numerous hiking trails to explore.
- Great Basin National Park: One of the least-visited, most remote national parks, known for having some of the darkest night skies in the state.
- Stargazing in Tonopah: Tonopah is arguably the best place for stargazing in the country.
Sports
Pro sports are making a comeback in Nevada, with the newly-formed Las Vegas Golden Knights taking the NHL by storm, and the Las Vegas Raiders joining the NFL in 2020.