For those who’re planning on transferring to Nevada, add these cities to your record.
Nevada is a dry, rugged haven of tall mountains, huge desert, and countless prospects. A lot of the state lies throughout the distinctive Basin and Vary province, characterised by desert landscapes and abrupt adjustments in elevation, shifting between slim mountain chains and flat valleys. Two deserts cowl a lot of the state: the dry Mojave Desert to the south, and the chilly Nice Basin Desert filling the remaining.
This diverse geography lends itself to an array of outside recreation, together with mountain climbing, snowboarding, river rafting, climbing, and extra. And with loads of sunshine, the state has change into a preferred migration vacation spot, rising by 15% since 2010. Southern Nevada, particularly the Las Vegas Valley, is the most well-liked spot and the place greater than 72% of the state’s inhabitants lives. Northwestern Nevada is the opposite inhabitants heart, dwelling to cities like Reno and Carson Metropolis.
Nevada’s local weather is predominantly arid and vulnerable to drought – it’s the driest state within the nation – however the local weather varies broadly from north to south. Northern Nevada has lengthy, chilly winters, whereas Southern Nevada has lengthy, dry summers. Summer time monsoons are pretty frequent within the south, whereas extra precipitation within the north falls throughout the winter and spring.
So, which cities in The Silver State are best for you? On this Redfin article, we’ve uncovered the very best locations to stay in Nevada, rating them on qualities reminiscent of affordability, navigability, and variety of facilities. You’ll find extra details about our methodology right here or on the backside of the article.
One of the best locations to stay in Nevada
Las Vegas, NV
Reno, NV
Winchester, NV
Paradise, NV
Sparks, NV
Spring Valley, NV
North Las Vegas, NV
Whitney, NV
Carson Metropolis, NV
Summerlin South, NV
1. Las Vegas, NV
Inhabitants:660,929Median Sale Worth:$450,000Median Hire Worth:$1,910Average Commute Time:25.8 minutesUnemployment Fee:4.3%
Las Vegas tops our record as the very best place to stay in Nevada. Lovingly often called “Sin City,” Las Vegas is an internationally-renowned resort metropolis in the course of the Mojave Desert, identified for its vivid lights, extravagance, and all the things else underneath the solar. Sunny climate is frequent, too. A comparatively reasonably priced value of dwelling, quite a few facilities, straightforward outside entry, and a various job market additionally helped it earn high marks.
Together with the Strip, common landmarks in Las Vegas embrace the Excessive Curler, Stratosphere Tower, Sphere, and the Neon Museum. Residents may get pleasure from no revenue tax, low property taxes, and reasonably priced utility payments. Utility costs like electrical energy and gasoline are rising, although, and water safety and drought are ongoing points.
Las Vegas has seen exceptional development up to now 20 years. The truth is, the metro’s inhabitants has almost doubled since 2000. On high of this, Las Vegas was a high migration vacation spot throughout the pandemic for homebuyers in search of sunshine and affordability. Nonetheless, this recognition has helped push housing prices greater; from January 2021 to March 2025, home costs rose 26.5%.
Regardless of its fame for opulence and abundance, Las Vegas is definitely a testomony to sustainability, particularly in water reclamation and reuse. The Las Vegas Wash is one instance of conservation: 99% of handled indoor water from the Las Vegas Valley will get redistributed alongside the Wash again to Lake Mead. Pure runoff and extra water represent a lot of the remainder of the stream.
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2. Reno, NV
Inhabitants:274,915Median Sale Worth:$550,000Median Hire Worth:$1,550Average Commute Time:20.6 minutesUnemployment Fee:3.6%
Often called the “Biggest Little City in the World,” Reno combines a small-town environment with big-city facilities and loads of issues to do, resulting in a beautiful place to name dwelling. Reno is situated in Northwestern Nevada close to the California border, 4,500 ft excessive within the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Outside recreation, casinos, giant parks, a college, and scrumptious delicacies are what outline this historic metropolis.
Reno sees a median of 300 days of sunshine and seven.5 inches of precipitation per 12 months. Some winter snow is frequent, however most falls within the close by mountains. Reno can be simply an hour outdoors Lake Tahoe and lots of different lakes and mountains, that means four-season recreation is a brief drive away. Mount Rose is the closest ski resort.
Partially due to its mountainous location and hip, college-town vibe, Reno has change into a very talked-about place to stay. In consequence, nonetheless, home costs have risen steadily, climbing 21% since January 2021. This has led to elevated wants for reasonably priced housing, whilst minimal wages rise statewide.
Importantly, the outskirts of Reno sit on the sting of the Wildland City Interface, that means wildfire hazard is particularly excessive, notably within the dry and sizzling summers. Together with fires, concurrent smoke could cause poor air high quality. The truth is, Reno has among the many worst air high quality within the U.S., with smoke and ozone the first drivers. On the brilliant facet, rainfall is barely extra frequent and drought circumstances are usually much less extreme than round Las Vegas.
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3. Winchester, NV
Inhabitants:37,531Median Sale Worth:$382,000Median Hire Worth:$1,215Average Commute Time:25.6 minutesUnemployment Fee:4.7%
Residence to a portion of the Strip, Winchester is simply south of Downtown Las Vegas and the third-best place to stay in Nevada. Winchester is one in every of many cities south of Las Vegas that usually get lumped collectively. The realm affords a decrease value of dwelling than Las Vegas whereas retaining a lot of the similar upscale facilities.
One main good thing about dwelling in Winchester is its navigability to different components of town. The Las Vegas Monorail affords transportation to close by casinos and lodges in Paradise, which is ideal for a enjoyable evening out or if you happen to work within the space. You may also simply stroll from one of many stations to close by facilities, like Allegiant Stadium, the place you’ll be able to watch the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders.
Like the remainder of the Valley, a lot of the metropolis’s water comes from Lake Mead, and drought is usually a significant challenge. Nevada really will get the bottom portion of water from the lake out of seven states and Mexico however makes use of and reuses it extremely effectively.
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4. Paradise, NV
Inhabitants:186,178Median Sale Worth:$395,000Median Hire Worth:$1,255Average Commute Time:23.1 minutesUnemployment Fee:4.9%
Subsequent on our record is Paradise, a big Las Vegas suburb simply south of Winchester. Identified for being dwelling to half of the Las Vegas Strip and its extra reasonably priced value of dwelling, Paradise has all of it. Much like Winchester, the Las Vegas Monorail affords handy entry alongside the Strip to the most well-liked facilities. Nonetheless, some areas could be fairly loud, and nightlife could make dwelling within the space troublesome.
Paradise is rather more than only a trip city, although. The town stretches fairly far south previous Interstate 215 and east towards Whitney, and comprises many neighborhoods, parks, and public areas alongside its gridded streets. Some common hangout spots embrace Sundown Park, Duck Creek Park, and the Saint Rose Parkway Path. The well-known Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay can be inside metropolis limits.
For many who choose outside excursions, all the things you want is an hour away. Sloan Canyon and Pink Rock Canyon are two of the most well-liked for fast day journeys, whereas heading out to Charleston Peak is ideal for an extended outing. Lee Canyon is usually the place folks go to for four-season recreation, with mountain climbing and climbing in the summertime, and snowboarding within the winter.
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5. Sparks, NV
Inhabitants:110,323Median Sale Worth:$522,000Median Hire Worth:$1,800Average Commute Time:23.1 minutesUnemployment Fee:3.9%
Positioned simply east of Reno, Sparks is available in at quantity 5 on our record of the very best locations to stay in Nevada. Sparks and Reno are sometimes lumped collectively resulting from their comparable facilities, however they’ve some distinct variations. For instance, Sparks is usually quieter, extra suburban, and a bit extra reasonably priced for homebuyers. Each cities have quick access to the outside and loads of facilities, however Sparks is especially identified for its outlet malls. The Retailers at Legends is the most well-liked.
Apparently, one of many metropolis’s largest parks, Sparks Marina Park Lake, started as a gravel pit however stuffed when the Truckee River flooded in 1997. It’s now a well-used marina for kayaking, dashing, and extra. You possibly can head south to see the Reno Rodeo, too.
Like many cities within the west, Sparks was born as a railroad city, which helped give it its nickname of “Rail City.” As extra folks moved in, town expanded east into the floodplains and hills. Trains nonetheless repeatedly chug by way of city.
The Truckee River flows by way of the center of town and is the positioning of quite a few parks, probably the most well-known of which is Rock Park. The Tahoe Pyramid Path additionally runs by way of town and follows the river for almost 114 miles, consisting of dust, paved, and historic roads. The path terminus remains to be being prolonged and can finally run all the way in which to Pyramid Lake. Remember to buy a day-use cross to experience the ultimate stretch beginning in Wadsworth.
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6. Spring Valley, NV
Inhabitants:219,913Median Sale Worth:$455,000Median Hire Worth:$1,600Average Commute Time:22.6 minutesUnemployment Fee:4%
Spring Valley is beloved as a quiet refuge simply 5 minutes west from Las Vegas, but it surely has lots going for it past that. There are golf programs, casinos, and all of the grocery shops and eating places you’d count on inside a brief drive from dwelling. Rainbow Springs, The Arroyo Market Sq., and the Grand Canyon Parkway are some common procuring facilities.
Like the remainder of the valley, Spring Valley has been present process an incredible quantity of development not too long ago, as folks look to unfold out round Las Vegas. Whereas folks flock there for its affordability, this recognition has pushed home costs up 27% since January 2021. You possibly can generally discover new retail and housing building all through the realm.
Many inexperienced areas are reserved for golf programs and personal neighborhoods, like Rhodes Ranch and Spanish Path, however there are parks within the space, too. Charlie Frias Park and Desert Breeze Park are two well-known spots. And keep in mind, you’re simply minutes away from open mountain trails, lakes, and extra.
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7. North Las Vegas, NV
Inhabitants:284,771Median Sale Worth:$420,000Median Hire Worth:$1,590Average Commute Time:26.9 minutesUnemployment Fee:5%
As its title implies, North Las Vegas (NLV) is simply north of Las Vegas, spreading into the huge Mojave Desert. Growth usually ends on the Bruce Woodbury Beltway. Affordability has lengthy been one of many high promoting factors of NLV, with median sale costs under Las Vegas. Just lately, although, NLV’s costs have begun to catch up.
North Las Vegas was pretty unknown till it started present process super development beginning within the early 2000s. Since then, it’s attracted giant employers like Amazon and Kroger and welcomed tens of 1000’s of individuals to its many neighborhoods. Paired with its favorable tax atmosphere and relative affordability, town generally is a great spot to purchase a house and begin or proceed your profession.
4-season recreation is common within the space, with parks and trails weaving by way of town. The Decrease Las Vegas Wash Path and Craig Ranch Regional Park are a number of the hottest areas for strolling, biking, and having fun with the countless sunshine. You possibly can even uncover historic historical past on the Ice Age Fossils State Park and examine your self to Pleistocene life. Summertime recreation could be arduous, because the local weather continues to heat, although.
For these in search of some catered leisure, the Las Vegas Motor Speedway is within the far northeast of city and holds occasions starting from NASCAR races to concert events. Casinos, cinemas, and eating places are usually situated nearer to the Strip or in procuring facilities.
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8. Whitney, NV
Inhabitants:46,268Median Sale Worth:$345,000Median Hire Worth:$1,200Average Commute Time:28.8 minutesUnemployment Fee:5.4%
Positioned alongside the Las Vegas Wash southeast of Las Vegas, Whitney is the eighth-best place to stay in Nevada on our record. Previously often called East Las Vegas, Whitney is a small, reasonably priced suburb with quite a few facilities and quick access to the outside. Importantly, Whitney has seen an increase in poverty charges for the reason that early 2000s, however reasonably priced housing developments are in progress.
Boulder Freeway runs by way of the middle of city all the way in which to Henderson, and is the place most facilities are situated. After all, you’ll be able to simply drive 20 minutes (relying on visitors) to the Strip for all the things you may want. The Boulder Freeway Specific is your greatest public transportation possibility into Downtown Las Vegas.
Some of the common points of interest within the metropolis is the Clark County Wetlands. Created by the restorative Las Vegas Wash, the Wetlands is a desert oasis that options trails, surroundings, and loads of wildlife. The realm is particularly common throughout the sizzling summer time months. Different parks embrace the Hollywood Regional Park and Whitney Mesa Nature Protect.
You may also nearly hike your method to Lake Las Vegas and its serene views, and also you’re not removed from Boulder Metropolis, the Hoover Dam, and Lake Mead. Lake Mead really affords a number of the area’s greatest boating, fishing, and summertime recreation, so long as it has adequate water provide.
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9. Carson Metropolis, NV
Inhabitants:58,036Median Sale Worth:$535,000Median Hire Worth:$1,310Average Commute Time:21.3 minutesUnemployment Fee:2.8%
The capital of Nevada and closest metropolis to Tahoe, Carson Metropolis is the ninth metropolis on our record. Carson Metropolis is a small city that has seen regular development over time resulting from its fascinating location, small-town really feel, and quick access to the outside. Plus, you’re simply half-hour from retailers and eating places in Reno.
Like most cities in Nevada, housing costs have skyrocketed in recent times, pricing out many long-time residents. Hire costs are extra reasonably priced, fortuitously.
Outside recreation is a breeze in Carson Metropolis. Two large lakes, Lake Tahoe and Washoe Lake, are inside a 30-minute drive from downtown and supply all the year-round recreation you may want. Loads of hikes, climbing spots, golf programs, riverine trails, and lovely viewpoints are in your doorstep, too. Kings Canyon Waterfalls and Carson River Park are good spots for a fast jaunt.
The local weather in Carson Metropolis is much like Reno however with much less snow and extra precipitation general. Temperatures are additionally usually delicate year-round, averaging 3.3°F cooler.
Much like Reno, a majority of Carson Metropolis is at extreme threat of wildfires and poor air high quality. The mix of the area’s dry local weather and the tall, forested mountains west of town make for prime wildfire circumstances. For those who’re pondering of transferring to the realm, be sure to put together your property for a wildfire and defend your indoor air high quality.
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10. Summerlin South, NV
Inhabitants:30,075Median Sale Worth:$775,000Median Hire Worth:$2,015Average Commute Time:23.8 minutesUnemployment Fee:2.3%
Summerlin South rounds out our record because the tenth-best place to stay in Nevada. To not be confused with the close by Summerlin neighborhood, Summerlin South is a small, upscale suburb west of Las Vegas. The city is understood for its many golf programs, laid-back life-style, and quick access to downtown Las Vegas and outside recreation.
Its many neighborhoods, together with Peccole Ranch and The Lakes, supply master-planned, secluded communities that can help you unwind. And also you don’t need to journey far for many facilities, both; Downtown Summerlin and Canyon Pointe have all the things you want, together with grocery shops, eating places, ice skating rinks, procuring facilities, and casinos.
Outside recreation ought to be your top-ticket merchandise. Pink Rock Canyon Nationwide Conservation Space is correct in town’s doorstep and is among the hottest spots in your entire Las Vegas Valley. Pink Rock comprises 195,819 acres of trails, roads, campsites, climbing routes, purple rock sandstone peaks, and historic petroglyphs, offering one thing for everybody to get pleasure from.
One draw back of the realm is its lack of affordability. Housing costs are 42% greater than Las Vegas, pricing most individuals out of an already strained regional market. Wildfire dangers are additionally a significant concern.
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Methodology
Redfin’s Finest Locations to Reside rankings are supposed to assist dwelling searchers make an knowledgeable determination when selecting the place to stay. To aim to measure the general high quality of a metro space, every rating takes under consideration a number of key components, together with entry to healthcare, open outside house, navigability, housing developments, employment statistics, revenue, and journey time to work. Solely metros with a inhabitants of 20,000 or better have been thought of for our Nevada record. Extra details about our methodology could be discovered right here.
Information legitimate April 2025. This text is for informational and academic functions solely.
