Filled with beautiful natural wonders, tall mountains, and big skies, Nevada has it all for those looking for a change of scenery.
The bright city lights of Las Vegas, the charm of Carson City, and relaxing days on Lake Tahoe make Nevada a great option for the outdoor enthusiast or city dweller.
The first settlers were Mormons who populated the state in the 1850s due to the silver boom.
After the silver rush, the state population dropped by 25% until gambling was launched in 1931.
With such diversity in Nevada, you may be considering moving to the state.
However, it is important to understand the pros and cons before making the jump.
Keep reading to learn more!
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Pros of Living in Nevada
There are many pros to living in Nevada, including:
1. Access to World-Class Restaurants
Las Vegas brings some of the most famous culinary names in the industry and is even an incredible pizza town.
Since it is a 24-hour city, delivery options are available around-the-clock in almost all neighborhoods, and you can find amazing food without the price and name.
Even in the more rural communities, authentic hole-in-the-wall spots are plentiful and delicious.
In summary, if you love to eat, Nevada is an amazing destination.
2. Can Find a Party Ay Day of the Week
If you enjoy the nightlife and going out whenever you want, Nevada is where you want to be.
The three major cities have an endless number of nightlife options ranging from high-end clubs to dive bars.
This makes it easier to meet others, form relationships, and decompress away from your home after work.
Also, many move to Nevada to work in the bustling nightlife industry, many locations that are part of casinos.
3. Countless Housing Options
The urban areas of Nevada are constantly growing and expanding outward which means developers are building more housing to support the demand.
Although it is currently a sellers’ market, you can still find reasonably priced housing compared to other major cities, especially on the west coast.
Plentiful, affordable housing options are a primary reason residents move to the state.
4. Diverse Entertainment Options
The available entertainment options in Nevada are difficult to match.
Residents have regular access to fine dining restaurants, nightclubs, and bars.
Also, music, dance, and other forms of live entertainment are almost everywhere since entertainers come from across the globe to perform in the urban areas of the state.
Also, residents have access to casinos, liberal alcohol laws, and the legal use of Cannabis.
A newer addition to the Las Vegas entertainment portfolio is the Las Vegas Raiders and Vegas Golden Knights professional sports teams.
5. Endless Outdoor Activities
The dry, sunny, warm weather allows residents to enjoy an extensive amount of time outside.
The state caters to the outdoor enthusiast by offering an endless number of activities.
The most common outdoor activities include golf, water sports, mountain biking, hiking, and rock climbing.
Also, the state’s stunning and diverse landscape lends itself to an activity to suit every need.
6. No State Income Tax
One of the best benefits on this list of moving to Nevada is there’s no state income tax.
While state income taxes vary across states, it is most common to pay around 5%.
Not having a state income tax means more money in your pocket to spend on what you like or save for your future.
Also, Nevada is in the top 10 for lowest real estate taxes, which no other Left Coast state falls into.
In general, Nevada has a low tax burden on its residents.
7. Sunny and Warm Weather
Due to its location, the entire state experiences warm and sunny weather year-round.
More specifically, Nevada averages over 300 sunny days every year, making it one of the top five sunniest states in the U.S.
If you are coming from a state that is constantly cloudy with inclement weather, then you will be pleasantly surprised in Nevada.
This is probably why the population is so friendly and welcoming.
8. Welcoming Culture
Nevada ranks highly in the ethnic and racial diversity column since the state is a mix of Indigenous Persons and Asian, African, and Hispanic American residents.
That means you can find any culture in the state, so you won’t feel out of place moving there.
Additionally, if moving to the more rural areas, other residents are incredibly helpful and friendly across the state.
Also, with the increase in remote work, young professionals are heading to Nevada since it offers more than other western states.
Cons of Living in Nevada
While these pros may already have you buying a one-way ticket, consider the following cons first.
1. Bad Traffic in Urban Areas
Depending on where you are coming from, traffic in Las Vegas is terrible.
If you are coming from a bigger city, then this may not be much of an issue.
Also, understand that tourists will surround you constantly when living in one of the three main metropolitan areas.
This also means that tourists are there for fun and may not be as respectful to your community as you are.
2. Brutal Summer Heat
The summer heat in Nevada can be absolutely brutal with 100-degree temperatures being the norm.
Death Valley is the hottest place in the world and is just across the border from Nevada.
Also, Nevada is one of the driest states in the U.S., which makes sense when you get over 300 sunny days per year.
Therefore, if you prefer humidity, clouds, and rain, then consider moving to Washington State or Florida.
3. Could Encounter Healthcare Access issues
If you decide to live in one of the three largest cities – Carson City, Reno, or Las Vegas, then this con may not apply since healthcare will be subsidized by your employer.
However, if you are planning to move to a rural area, then accessing healthcare can be a major challenge.
Nevada is ranked in the lowest 20% for quality of healthcare access.
4. Expensive to Own a Vehicle
The value of your car dictates vehicle registration fees in Nevada, so if you purchase a new automobile then the expense will be several hundred dollars more than in other western states.
Also, the insurance rates are higher in Nevada than in neighboring states due to the elevated level of accidents.
Unfortunately, outside of Las Vegas, the mass transit options are limited, so you will be required to own a car, even in the Las Vegas suburbs.
5. Low Ranked Education System
Another major downside to living in Nevada is the educational system is underperforming.
If you have school-aged children, then you may need to factor in the cost of enrolling them in private school before moving.
This adds to the cost of living in Nevada so that tax breaks are slowly whittling away.
Nevada ranks toward the bottom of all states in education.
6. High Cost of Living
Although you are getting a break from state income tax and lower property taxes, the standard cost of living in the state is higher than in most other places.
While you can still find affordable housing, the population is rapidly growing, so demand continues to rise along with prices.
If you are planning on renting, you will not experience much of a break since the average one-bedroom cost is 11 percent higher than the rest of the U.S.
7. High Crime Rate
Look at any government crime report and you will see a trend that Nevada has a high violent and property crime rate.
Las Vegas heavily contributes to this poor ranking.
In addition to a high crime rate, the risk of accidents is higher in the state because of easy access to recreational drugs and alcohol.
Statistically speaking, DUI tickets are higher in Nevada than in most other states.
8. Inconsistent Economy
While the job market is constantly growing due to the need of supporting a growing population and all the tourism that the casinos bring in, the local economy is reliant on gambling.
That means if the casinos have a poor year, the entire town suffers.
Las Vegas offers a variety of employment options that have nothing to do with the casinos, but the smaller cities and towns can experience tough economic times when tourism is low.
Pros and Cons of Living in Nevada – Summary Table
| Pros of Living in Nevada | Cons of Living in Nevada |
|---|---|
| 1.Access to World-Class Restaurants | 1. Bad Traffic in Urban Areas |
| 2. Can Find a Party Ay Day of the Week | 2. Brutal Summer Heat |
| 3. Countless Housing Options | 3. Could Encounter Healthcare Access issues |
| 4. Diverse Entertainment Options | 4. Expensive to Own a Vehicle |
| 5. Endless Outdoor Activities | 5. Low Ranked Education System |
| 6. No State Income Tax | 6. High Cost of Living |
| 7. Sunny and Warm Weather | 7. High Crime Rate |
| 8. Welcoming Culture | 8. Inconsistent Economy |
Nevada Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Nevada Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nevada worth moving to?
Famous for its high-quality shopping malls, concerts, shows, nightlife, endless outdoor activities, and consistent weather, many homebuyers continue to flock to the state.
Depending on what you want from life, Nevada can be a wonderful place to live.
This is especially true for retirees who wish to remain active and continue living an exciting life.
How much money do you need to make to comfortably live in Nevada?
To move to Las Vegas, you need an annual income of more than $50,000 to live comfortably.
This estimate includes savings, emergencies, paying all bills, and enjoying a night out every so often.
If you live in smaller cities or rural areas, then you do not need as high of an annual salary to live comfortably.
Are utilities expensive in Nevada?
In addition to the lack of state income tax and low property taxes, residents enjoy lower-than-average utility costs since electricity is generated within the state borders.
Nevada has the 12th least expensive utilities in the United States.
Does it snow in Nevada?
While you may be moving to the state for sunny and comfortable weather (except during the summer months), snow is common in the state during the winter season, which goes from December to March.
Northern Nevada experiences lower temperatures and more snow than southern Nevada.
Are any areas of Nevada not deserts?
Some may not be huge fans of the arid, desert climate found throughout the state.
Nevada is comprised mostly of desert and semi-arid regions, so if you do not enjoy this environment, then you may not want to move to the state.
