Is Nevada a Good Place to Live? (14 Pros and Cons)

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Essential Things To Know About Living In Nevada

Is Nevada a good place to live? Today, I will explore the answer to this question and follow it up with the pros and cons of living in Nevada to support my answer. After I’m done, you can decide if moving to Nevada is your choice.

Is Nevada A Good Place To Live?

Nevada living is excellent for anyone who loves warm, dry weather, diversity, and low taxes. Furthermore, residents rave about their varied entertainment options and many beautiful outdoor spaces. However, the intense summer heat, arid climate, higher cost of living, and sub-par school system won’t be for everyone, but overall, Nevada is a good place to live.

Next, let’s see how the answer to today’s question aligns with Nevada’s pros and cons.

Pros And Cons Of Living In Nevada: Side By Side Comparison

Living in Nevada ProsLiving in Nevada Cons
1. Ethnic diversity8. Crime and safety
2. Low tax burden9. Extreme summer heat
3. Warm and sunny weather10. Higher living costs
4. Outdoor activities11. Sub-par schools
5. Unique scenic beauty12. Urbanization
6. Entertainment & recreation13. Lifestyle extremes
7. A party-like atmosphere14. Boom-bust economy
Table 1: Pros and Cons of Living or Retiring in Nevada

Next, let’s review each of the pros and cons in greater detail.

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Disclosure: At no cost to you, I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

Pros Of Living In Nevada

1. You Will Find A Diverse And Welcoming Culture After Moving To Nevada

Nevada has racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity.

Many of Nevada’s residents are transplants. They come from elsewhere, making born-and-bred locals the minority. As a result, the state has a nice mix of Hispanic, African American, Asian, and American Indian residents.

Transplanted Nevadans bring their local culture and traditions with them. Thus, they create a unique and exotic atmosphere.

Take it from me: you won’t feel out of place after moving to Nevada. The state is diverse, welcoming, hospitable, and an excellent place to live. Thus, retirees, remote workers, and people looking for a fresh start have been flocking to Nevada for everything it offers.

2. Nevadans Live In A No Income Tax State AND Enjoy Low Real Estate Taxes

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Nevada is one of only nine states that does not charge its residents an income tax. Depending on how much money you make and where you are moving from, the income tax savings can add up fast.

For example, you make $50,000 yearly, and your current state has a 4% income tax. Then, you will save $2,000 every year.

Everyone’s tax situation is unique. I recommend consulting with your tax advisor to discover how much money you will save after moving to Nevada.

Nevada also has affordable real estate taxes. Studies show that the state’s average property tax rate is one of the lowest in the country.

Okay. Enough about money and taxes. Let’s move on to some other benefits of living in Nevada.

3. Nevada Offers Warm, Sunny Weather And Low Humidity

Nevada gets plenty of sunny, warm weather, with over 300 days of sunshine yearly. So, if you need a lot of sunlight to feel your best, you will enjoy the clear skies after moving to Nevada.

Winters are generally mild, with minimal precipitation. However, it does snow in Nevada, and nighttime temperatures get cold, depending on your location.

Snow and colder temperatures are more common in the northern part of the state and the higher elevations.

4. Nevadans Enjoy An Abundance Of Outdoor Activities

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Nevada has plenty of outdoor recreation options for enjoying the sunny, warm weather. After moving, you can get out year-round to experience:

  • Rock climbing
  • Hiking
  • Mountain biking
  • Lake & river water sports
  • Golf
  • Skiing

5. The State Has Some Spectacular Outdoor Spaces

Nevada’s vast, beautiful, and diverse western landscape will make your outdoor time splendid because of the state’s fantastic recreation areas.

Here are a few examples of places you can visit and explore.

Great Basin National Park is located in central Nevada, about 20 miles from the beautiful state of Utah. At the park, you can tour caves, stargaze in the International Dark-Sky Park, hike nature trails, and visit the Wheeler summit at more than 10,000 feet above sea level.

Red Rock Canyon State Park is located on the southern tip of Nevada near Las Vegas. Hike, bike, rock climb, camp, and ride horses. Be careful; it gets hot here. I recommend packing plenty of water to combat the heat and high altitudes.

Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America. The lake is a short drive from Carson City, Nevada, and 50 miles from Reno. The area caters to tourists of all kinds. Ski resorts are plentiful and busy during the winter months. Water sports, beach activities, and golf take center stage during summer.

Okay. But you say you are not the outdoors type? That’s okay; the state offers plenty of other entertainment options. Let’s discuss them now.

6. Nevada Has Diverse Recreation And Entertainment Options For The Entire Family

Nevada is an excellent state for anyone who likes to be entertained. The state’s diversity of entertainment options is difficult to match in other places.

Here’s why…

Nevada has fine dining, great food, and top-notch chefs. Las Vegas and Reno are home to many excellent restaurants.

Professional sports have finally found a new home in Nevada. You can enjoy NFL football played by the Las Vegas Raiders and NHL hockey by the Vegas Golden Nights.

Entertainers worldwide come to perform in and around Nevada’s urban centers. Las Vegas, specifically, is known for its world-class shows. Thus, the options for live music, dance, theater, and acrobatics are endless.

7. Nevada Might Be The Adult Entertainment Capital Of The World

After moving to Nevada, you can satisfy your vices and participate in plenty of “sinful” activities if you choose to do so.

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First, Nevada is one of the few states where casino-style gambling is legal. Arguably, Las Vegas is the gambling capital of the world.

Second, Nevada is the only state in the country with legalized prostitution. However, this activity is only legal in a few specific state counties.

Third, the purchase, possession, and recreational use of marijuana was legalized here in 2017.

Next, Nevada has very liberal alcohol laws. For example, carrying open containers and drinking in public is legal in Las Vegas. Bars and liquor stores can remain open 24/7 state-wide.

Finally, living in Nevada means you need to exercise some self-discipline. Don’t let gambling, alcohol, drugs, and prostitution get the better of you. Seek help if you need it.

Okay, let’s switch gears. Please allow me to balance this conversation and cover the disadvantages of moving to Nevada next.

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Cons Of Living In Nevada

8. Nevada Is Knonw For High Crime And High Accident Rates

Nevada ranks in the bottom third of all states for personal safety, according to a study by WalletHub.

The state has high property crime and violent crime rates. As a result, Nevada ranks poorly compared to other locations in the United States. Of course, Las Vegas negatively contributes to crime statistics.

Driving in Nevada is dangerous. Easy access to drugs and alcohol makes the roads more dangerous. For instance, tickets for driving under the influence (DUIs) are higher in Nevada than in many other states.

9. Living In Nevada Means Extreme Summer Heat And Dry Conditions

Nevada won’t be your kind of place if you don’t like the heat. For example, 100-degree summer temperatures are typical here. In the southern regions, readings above 110 degrees are possible.

Death Valley, California, is located across Nevada’s Southwest border, not far from Las Vegas. Most noteworthy, Death Valley is considered one of the hottest places in the world.

For cooler weather, consider moving to the northern or northwest regions of the state. The Carson Mountain Range is on the state’s Western border, a spur of the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Finally, Nevada has an arid climate. It is one of the driest states in the country. When you have 300+ sunny days a year, cloudy, rainy days are limited. So, if you want to live out west and like clouds, rain, and humidity, consider moving to Washington State.

10. There Is A Higher Cost Of Living In Nevada

The cost of living in Nevada is higher than average.

Nevada’s home prices are about 3% more than the comparable national figure (Source: Redfin and the Federal Reserve Bank Of St Louis).

Monthly rentals also run 3% above the national average (Source: World Population Review).

Finally, groceries, transportation, and sales taxes all run a little higher in Nevada compared to averages across the country.

I recommend you sign up and use Rakuten for all your online purchases to offset some of the higher costs. The app is easy to use and a great to get money back when shopping online.

11. Poorly Ranked Educational System

Nevada’s educational system is not highly rated.

According to U.S. News, Nevada ranks near the bottom of all states for the quality of K-12 education. The rankings are based on standardized test scores and high school graduation rates.

Thus, for anyone with school-age children, consider factoring the cost of private school into your budget.

12. Nevada’s Urban Areas Have Some Issues

pros and cons of living in nevadaPin

Nevada’s major population centers have some downsides you should consider.

First, traffic congestion is heavy in Las Vegas. Plan extra time to get where you need to go in the city.

Second, Las Vegas, Reno, and the Lake Tahoe area get many tourists. Visitors are looking for a good time, so they may not have as much respect for the community. They also add to the traffic and sense of overcrowding.

13. Where You Move Will Influence Your Life In Nevada

Life in Nevada is heavily influenced by where you choose to settle down. Understand that the state is the 7th largest based on land area.

At one extreme, you have intensely urban characteristics. Most of the state’s population base and tourism industry are first clustered in the Las Vegas, Henderson, and North Las Vegas metropolitan areas. And second, the Reno, Sparks, Carson City metro area.

At the other extreme, you will find vast rural areas covered by wide-open swaths of desert and mountains. In between the two extremes, much of this state’s land is dotted with small towns.

As a result, where you choose to live makes a big difference. For example, you can choose a smaller town like Elko or Spring Creek in Northern Nevada. Doing so, you will enjoy a lower cost of living, cooler summer temperatures, little traffic, and no tourists. The area is very different than Las Vegas.

14. Nevada’s Economy Can Be Boom Or Bust

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Nevada may not meet your expectations if you require a state with a stable economy. The economy can be boom or bust since a large portion of Nevada’s business is driven by tourism.

For example, Nevada’s unemployment rate remained stubbornly high after the pandemic and the related recession. People weren’t traveling as much, and tourism was down.

On the other hand, when the economy is good, money flows freely, and there are plenty of jobs. Tourists arrive, travel, gamble, eat, drink, and enjoy the abundant outdoor activities in this state.

Okay. I have addressed everything that I set out to. So, it’s time to wrap up with some concluding thoughts.

Pros And Cons Of Living In Nevada – A Good Place To Live?

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I hope this discussion about living in Nevada has helped you think about these vital questions:

  1. Should I move to Nevada?
  2. Is Nevada a good place to live?
  3. What is living in Nevada like?

Best of luck with your decision, no matter where you settle down.

More Reading About Living In Nevada And Beyond

If you liked reading about the reasons to move or not to move to Nevada, then here are some related articles you may enjoy:

Author Bio: Tom Scott founded the consulting and coaching firm Dividends Diversify, LLC. He leverages his expertise and decades of experience in goal setting, relocation assistance, and investing for long-term wealth to help clients reach their full potential.

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The Pros And Cons Of Living In Nevada Explained