Moving to Nevada statistics (2025 data)

How many people move to Nevada?

Approximately 122,219 people moved to Nevada in 2023, while 104,444 moved out. This represents a net gain of 17,775 residents. The state received roughly 35 movers per day between 2022 and 2023, mostly driven by domestic migrants.

Nevada’s positive net migration can largely be attributed to inbound movers from California. Since 2020, 158,000 Californians have moved to the state, accounting for 43% of new residents within the past four years. According to a recent ConsumerAffairs study based on a sample of 143,506 ConsumerAffairs.com users who expressed an interest in moving between January 2023 and March 2024, Nevada ranks as the 18th most desired state for relocation.

Top 5 cities that people moved to in Nevada

With the second-lowest education and health care scores based on data collected from several sources and accounting for weighted factors, Nevada ranks as the 41st best U.S. state to move to in 2024. The second-highest quality of life ranking is the primary factor preventing the state from earning a lower score.

People moving to the Silver State are mostly choosing one of the few major cities, including Las Vegas and Reno. The Las Vegas area saw the highest influx of new movers, with North Las Vegas attracting the most (25,246) between 2020 and 2023. Henderson — just south of Las Vegas — attracted 19,984.

Reno also received new residents, adding 10,769 (4.1% population growth). Interestingly, the small town of Mesquite experienced the highest population growth, growing by 11.3% despite adding only 2,321 new residents within the same time frame.

The top five Nevada cities people moved to between 2020 and 2023 are as follows:

Why do people move to Nevada?

Nevada, and especially Las Vegas and Reno, are becoming booming destinations for job seekers and investors alike. Within the past 30 years, over 5,600 companies have relocated to Nevada for the state’s low tax benefits — many of them moving from California. In 2022 alone, 47 companies committed to adding 3,168 jobs to the state’s economy over two years.

The largest industries in the Silver State are leisure and hospitality, trade, transportation, and utilities, and professional and business services. Collectively, these industries employ roughly 55% of nonfarm workers. The fastest-growing industry in the state is construction, growing by 4.2% between July 2023 and July 2024.

Nevada housing statistics

With a median rent price of $1,706.79 and a median home sale price of $479,000, Nevada renters and homeowners can expect to pay at least 14% more than the national median for housing.

Luckily, Nevada offers the 9th lowest property tax rate in the U.S. at 0.59% — less than half that of 16 states. In 2021, the average property owner in Nevada’s Clark County — where Las Vegas is located — paid only $1,752 in annual property taxes. Residents typically pay far below average in property taxes, with those in Eureka County paying as little as $477 that same year.

Cost-of-living statistics in Nevada

Nevada’s cost-of-living index is 101.3, giving it middle-of-the-road costs comparable to the national average. However, the price of gas per gallon ($4.00) doesn’t follow this same trend, being 22.7% more expensive than the national average of $3.26. The Silver State has almost no oil or gas production, potentially contributing to higher gas prices. Overall, Nevada ranks as the 26th greenest state.

Despite a moderate cost of living and high gas prices, the state’s median household income of $71,636 is slightly less than the national average ($75,358). The unemployment rate is also a concern — coming in at a whole percentage point higher than the national average (4.2%) at 5.2%.

Overall, Nevada is neither particularly expensive nor overly affordable. Whether you find the cost of living approachable will largely depend on where you’re moving from, but all potential residents would be wise to budget carefully and be mindful of the job opportunities available.

Who lives in Nevada?

Approximately 3,194,176 people live in Nevada as of 2023, making it the 31st largest state in terms of population. Between 2022 and 2023, the population increased by only 16,775 people.

Nevada’s population is slightly skewed male, with men accounting for 50.3% of residents and women accounting for 49.7%. In 2023, about 1.61 million Nevada residents were male, and 1.59 million were female.

On average, Nevada’s population is also slightly older (39.3 years old) than the U.S. average of 38.9 years. In terms of age, those between 25 and 44 years old account for the largest share of Nevada residents at 28.3% of the population.

The majority of Nevada residents are either white or Hispanic. White residents account for roughly 71.5% of the population (approximately 2.28 million people). This is followed by Hispanic and Black residents, who account for 30% and 11.4% of the population, respectively.

Tips for moving to Nevada

Not sure how to start your move to Nevada? Consider these step-by-step moving tips:

1. Understand the cost of living

While Nevada has a fairly average cost of living, overall costs will still vary depending on the region. Expect popular urban hubs like Las Vegas and Reno to have higher costs, while rural areas may be more affordable. How the cost of living impacts you will also depend on where you’re moving from. Many inbound migrants to Nevada are from the West Coast, one of the most expensive regions in the nation. Before you move, visit NV.gov to research local regions and compare living expenses.

2. Explore the job market

Home to many corporate headquarters and a thriving economy, Nevada offers job opportunities across a variety of industries. From the booming hospitality and technology industries in Las Vegas to tourism, mining and agriculture in small towns, there’s something for everyone. You can utilize EmployNV.gov to explore local job opportunities.

3. Prepare for mountain weather

Nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Nevada’s climate can vary significantly depending on the region. Typically, you can expect hot and dry summers and occasional snowfall in the winter. The lower the elevation or more south you go, the hotter, and vice versa. These conditions, combined with the state's sparse population, make preparing your new home with efficient HVAC systems and purchasing weather-appropriate clothing vital. You can check local weather updates through the National Weather Service website.

4. Be aware of natural hazards

While Nevada residents are generally safe from hurricanes or tornadoes, many areas are prone to wildfires and flash floods, depending on the season. Drought has also been a major concern for some time, drying out the state’s already arid climate and exacerbating wildfire occurrences. Before making the move, ensure that you stay prepared by following safety recommendations from the Nevada Division of Emergency Management website.

5. Consider transportation options

While major cities like Las Vegas and Reno offer public transportation services in the form of buses and monorails, the vast majority of Nevada is too sparsely populated and rugged for effective services. A personal vehicle will likely be necessary for functional travel, though you should prepare for long stretches without gas stations in rural areas. Stay up to date on transportation options and road conditions by visiting the Nevada Department of Transportation website.

6. Enjoy the tax-friendly environment

Low taxes are one of the primary draws for both residential and commercial migrants moving to Nevada. The state has no personal income tax, no inheritance tax and relatively low property taxes, giving it one of the lowest tax burdens in the nation. Not sure how the tax code may benefit you? Find out by exploring the Nevada Department of Taxation.

7. Understand mover quotes and tipping

When moving to Nevada, carefully review and compare moving company quotes. Be sure to account for potential additional fees depending on where you’re relocating to. Tipping movers is customary; a tip of 10% to 20% of the total cost is standard based on the quality of service.