Reno is ‘The Biggest Little City in the World’
Reno has so much history and culture to offer for such a small place. There are so many things to do, from annual events, outdoor activities or social gatherings. There are all the benefits of city life, but with the community oriented feel of a small town.
Is Reno a Good City to Move to?
Yes! Reno is a great place to live. I moved here in 1998 when I was a college student and have been here ever since. I love that there are so many varieties of outdoor recreation and all very close by. There are opportunities to live that midtown, urban lifestyle, just as there are opportunities to have acreage and horses, all in town as well as in outlying suburban areas, and everything in between. The people are nice, the city has just about all of the entertainment and amenities you could need, but it is still small. You don’t have to plan your life around the traffic and you don’t suffer from weather extremes + we have sunshine and four seasons.
What do I need to know before moving to Reno?
You are going to want to know the best places to live in Reno and what areas fit your lifestyle and budget. Get started researching the Reno housing market with a free subscription to Homebot <- Use this link to register for your account and enjoy unlimited access. You can also shop available listings with custom tailored searches on Real Scout <- use this link to register for your free account. You can also find more specific stats on the market with our ->online resources guides.
If you would like our free moving to Reno complete relocation guide, visit -> relocation guide. If you want to know more about the area or activities nearby, you can also visit our blogs at-> Reno Life.
If you have school aged kids, getting familiar with the local schools is something you will want to consider. Washoe County School District oversees all of our public schools. If you’re wondering about Reno school ratings, you can find more information on: Nevada report card, school calendars, registration information and more at -> Washoe County Schools.
Reno Housing Market
The housing market in Reno has been fairly competitive for years. The median home price, as of 2024, is $549,950.
The best place to get info on the Reno housing market is with Homebot. <- Use this link to register for your free account and enjoy unlimited access.
What is the average monthly rent in Reno, Nevada?
The average rent of an apartment in Reno is $1,631
The average rent of a studio in Reno is $1,225
The average rent of a 1 bedroom in Reno is $1,435
The average rent of a 2 bedroom in Reno is $1,700
The average rent of a 3 bedroom in Reno is $2,236
The average rent of a 4 bedroom in Reno is $2,825
The vacancy rent is Reno is very low. There are only about 2% of places available for rent.
What is it like to raise kids in Reno?
Our three boys have grown up here. There are a few things about raising kids in Reno that have been amazing. Kids still play together outside; I know that may seem like an odd, small thing to be happy about, but there are so many cities that you just don’t see kids outside, ever. Sports are a big deal. Football, baseball/softball, soccer and wrestling are all very popular, so kids are actively involved with teams. You can go just about anywhere within an hour. If you want to go ski, you can be at Mt. Rose in 45 minutes, coming from Sparks. Want to go boating? You could be at Pyramid Lake in 30 minutes or Lake Tahoe in under an hour or Boca in about 40 minutes. Want to ride dirt bikes? Depending on what part of town you’re in, you may be able to leave from your house and be in the hills within minutes, or trailer them up to popular places like Moonrocks within 20 minutes. The same is true for hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, snowmobiling, camping and hunting. There are places to fish the Truckee River or other local ponds and places right in town. If you’re from a place like one of the larger California cities, you don’t have 5 million other people there when you go. So, shhhh don’t tell anyone, we want to keep it this way.
What are some things to do in Reno, Nevada?
In August, Reno hosts-> Hot August Nights.
This event typically kicks off at the end of July in Virginia City. It is a classic and muscle car show that comes with an outdoor summer concert series. Events can be found all over town during the week and there are usually about 400,000 people in attendance.
In September, Reno is home to the -> Great Reno Balloon race.
The balloon races is hosted at Rancho San Rafeal park and there are more than 150,000 people in attendance throughout the course of the event
Lake Tahoe. What more can I say!?!? It’s LAKE TAHOE!! It is stunning, crystal clear blue water… that is always cold. Sand Harbor is one of the more popular summer beaches, but it is busy in the summer.
Virginia City is a wrinkle in time. It is a mining town where you can experience historic recreations, ghost tours, mine tours and the historic buildings. Go on any regular day or for an event, like the Camel Races or the Grand Prix.
Moonrocks is a locals favorite. It’s off Winnemucca Ranch Road. It is a great place to ride ATV’s or teach kids to ride dirt bikes.
Summer Concerts are some of my favorites. They are hosted outdoors at the Nugget’s amphitheater as well as at Tahoe at Harvey’s amphitheater.
Aces: <-Baseball games are a great way to spend the evening, especially on summer nights. Tickets vary in price, but there are some inexpensive options.
Reno Rodeo <-The Wildest Richest Rodeo in the West takes place in June.
Burning Man <- I have never personally been to Burning Man, but have plenty of friends that wouldn’t miss it. It is a week long community and art focused, desert event.
Rib Cookoff <-The Golden Nugget Cookoff takes place beginning the Wednesday before Labor Day and runs through the weekend.
Street Vibrations <-is a three day motorcycle event that takes place the last week of September and brings over 50,000 people to our area.
When Reno isn’t hosting annual events, there is plenty to do with endless outdoor recreational opportunities.
What are the pros and cons of living in Reno?
Pros of living in Reno:
Partially because there is no personal or corporate income tax, Reno was named #1 on the best places to do business in America by Inc. Magazine, out of 274 cities.
There are 4 seasons.
You hardly ever have to shovel snow in town. Most of it will typically melt off within a day.
The sun is out almost all of the time.
We get some amazing sunsets.
Reno is home to many annual events + UNR and Aces games.
There is a wide range, diverse job market that is growing every day.
There are lots of things to do.
People are friendly.
Reno offers a superior quality of life.
Cons of living in Reno:
There has been some poor foresight for traffic planning to accommodate the growth. There are some areas in town that get bottle necked and the freeway is always an ever-evolving work in progress.
It can get cold & it can get hot.
You can be teased with spring… three or four times. It will often feel like it is getting warmer in January and then winter really sets in. March comes around and you think you’re coming out of winter and you’ll get more snow.
Public transportation really consists only of city buses. There are not any light rail options.
There are many areas of Reno built near hills and mountains. Wildfire can be somewhat common in the summer.
Although it isn’t often, during drought years, there can be some water restrictions, making landscaping water schedules more strict.
Housing and shelter costs are a little higher than the national average.
It can be windy on a regular basis.
Why are people moving to Reno, NV?
People are moving to Reno for two primary reasons: job opportunity and a better quality of life. Reno is relatively affordable in comparison to national averages and is very affordable in contrast to large California cities. People are looking for more outdoor time with easy access, smaller commute times and good weather. They are looking for a place their kids can be kids without constant fear for their safety. Another big driving factor for people moving to Reno is lower taxes, everybody loves that there is no state income tax.
Why is Reno so popular?
Reno offers a great quality of life. It is a small city with a friendly, small town feel. Reno has, and continues to have, huge job growth in so many diverse areas. It is sunny with four seasons and offers a lot of outdoor recreational opportunity nearby and without overcrowding. Reno has a favorable tax structure while still being affordable.
Is Reno expensive?
The cost of living in Reno is moderate. Overall, it is about 18% above the national average. Housing costs are quite a bit higher than the average home price in the parts of the U.S. If you would like to compare the cost of living in Reno to your city, please feel free to use our -> cost of living calculator.
What is the population in Reno, Nevada?
The population of Reno, as of 2022, is 273,448.
The population of Sparks is 109,796 and the population of Carson City is 58,993.
This makes it the largest city in Northern Nevada and the third largest city in Nevada, second to Las Vegas & Henderson.
Reno is growing at a rate of about 2% annually.
Reno has a population density of 2,485 people per square mile.
The median age of people in Reno is 36.4
The population of Washoe County is 493,392.
The size of Washoe County is 6,542 square miles.
How big is Reno? Reno is approximately 110 square miles. It is located in Washoe County.
Is Reno a good place to live?
Yes! Reno is a very community-oriented place. We are proud of our UNR Wolfpack. We get a lot of sunshine. We are surrounded by outdoor recreation with weather that supports many seasonal hobbies. It is still a small city, so commuting isn’t unreasonable, like it is in large cities. People are friendly. There are lots of things for kids to do and we have a lot of family friendly annual events.
Is Reno a family friendly city?
Yes! Reno is very family friendly. People are community minded. Aces games and UNR games are popular with families. A lot of people have kids involved in sports. Kids commonly play outside here. There are parks, museums, outdoor opportunities, and annual events that kids enjoy.
Is moving to Reno a great idea?
Yes! I am going to share a personal story to highlight what an amazing community Reno is. When my son was 7, he was hit riding his bike in the entrance of our driveway by and elderly woman with severe dementia. He had a severe brain injury, broken femur and, at the time, he was paralyzed on the right side. The night of the accident, we had friends that picked up our dogs, took care of our other son. They had a Gofundme account set up, rides to baseball arranged and we had a steady stream of dinner delivered to the hospital, and to our other two boys at home, every single night. It took a week for him to regain consciousness and a few weeks in total in our local hospital before we were sent to Salt Lake City for rehabilitation. I am so proud, and beyond thankful, to tell you he made a miraculous recovery. Beyond that, we had so many people that followed our journey, championed his recovery and supported us in so many ways every step of the way, including setting up fundraisers for him when we got home. We look out for each other and I think that is one of the things I love most about living here.
Is Reno NV safe?
I can honestly say I have never felt unsafe in Reno. In all fairness, being downtown around the casinos, after an event, late at night amongst some of the addicts on the street, I have felt uneasy. Being in all areas of town for work and living in the suburbs, I do not ever feel unsafe. We have inadvertently left our garage door open multiple times at night and, knock on wood, have never had an issue. Although, the Reno crime rate is slightly above the national purported average. For more on specific crime information and statistics, visit -> Washoe County Sheriff’s Office.
How fast can you commute in Reno, NV?
If you live in here, the saying is, you can get anywhere in Reno in 30 minutes. This is generally true. If you work 8:00-5:00 and live in places like Spanish Springs or if you are commuting from Tahoe Regional Industrial Center (TRIC), it might be a little longer. If you live in Reno and are commuting within the city, the commute time would be less than our city average of 19.5 minutes.
This is how our commuters are broken down:
76.3% of Reno commuters are alone in their own car
11.5% of Reno commuters are carpooling with others
3.9% of Reno commuters aren’t contributing to the traffic, since they work at home
2.4% of Reno commuters are using some form of mass transit.
How is the weather in Reno?
Reno is in the high desert, tucked near the Sierra Nevada Mountains, with an elevation of 4,500 feet, so we don’t typically get temperature extremes, but we definitely get a full four seasons, so if you’re interested in moving here, you’re probably wondering what is the weather like in Reno?
How hot does Reno get in the summer?
Reno averages a high of 91 degrees in July, but there are days that get into the low triple digits.
How much rain does Reno get?
Reno averages 7.48” of rain annually, most of which we get in the winter and spring months.
How much snow does Reno get?
Reno averages 20.9” of combined annual snow, most of which falls between December and March.
How much sun does Reno get?
Reno gets an average of 300 amazing days of sunshine annually.
How’s the job market in Reno Nevada?
The job market in Reno is robust and diverse. Reno no longer depends upon travel, tourism or gaming as the main economic driver. Because of Reno’s ideal location, an industrial park was developed in Storey County known as the Tahoe Regional Industrial Center (TRIC). It was really put on the map when Tesla began construction of the Gigafactory. Other big tech companies have followed, such as Google, Apple, Switch and with rail accessible in the park and freeways nearby, other manufacturers and industrial companies have moved in as well. TRIC draws in businesses because lots have been pre-approved for permitting, so the building process has been streamlined and Nevada is a tax friendly state to both businesses and residents, making it appealing to corporate relocation.
What is a good salary in Reno Nevada?
An average annual salary to live in Reno is $57,724. A higher earning salary for Reno is just over $87,000 annually.
What are the largest industries in Reno Nevada?
Reno has always been a destination for travel and tourism as well as gaming and entertainment, but is no longer solely reliant on it. Reno has diversified and become a hub for technology and manufacturing. With that job growth, came a larger demand for construction, logistics and distribution as well as jobs in the trades. As Reno continues to attract more working professionals, demands for jobs in health care and education for research and innovation will also continue to grow.
Top 10 reasons to move to Reno, Nevada?
Reno is close to Tahoe and offers an amazing array of outdoor activities
Reno has a robust and diverse job market
Reno does not have corporate or personal income taxes.
Reno is very business friendly with a streamlined construction process in the industrial park.
Reno isn’t too far from larger cities, such as San Francisco, Sacramento and Las Vegas
People in Reno are friendly and community oriented.
The quality of life in Reno appeals to so many with clean air and nature everywhere.
Job parks like TRIC are attractive to big tech companies and other manufacturers.
Reno has a great climate with 4 distinct seasons, all of which are not too harsh.
Reno has annual events and things to do on a regular basis
What is the median salary in Reno, Nevada?
The median household income in the US is $69,021. Reno falls slightly below that median at $67,557. Reno’s unemployment rate, at 4.6%, is less that the US average at 6%. Future job growth in Reno is predicted to be over 51%, in comparison to a national average of 33.5%.
Best things to do if you’re moving to Reno
Explore the city. If you were spending 72 hours in Reno, I would recommend spending a day at Lake Tahoe. Kayak, swim and have dinner in one of the many restaurants just off the water. Take a little trip back in time and spend and afternoon in Virginia City. Have lunch in midtown. Take a stroll through Scheels, if you like sporting goods stores. Walk around the marina next door to Scheels, have dinner at the Water Bar. Consider where you will be working and figure out the maximum amount of time you’re willing to spend commuting. Look at areas in that range. If you need some more ideas for entertainment, visit -> Reno Life.
What are Nevada taxes like?
Washoe County sales tax (in 2024) is 8.27%
Nevada property taxes average 0.53% on existing homes, but are approximately 1% of the sales price on new construction.
There is no state income tax in Nevada.
Best Schools and Universities in Nevada
Reno has some high ranking schools. The Davidson Academy consistently ranks among one of the best elementary and middle schools in our area. The University of Nevada Reno (UNR) is the number 1 ranked school in Nevada. UNR continues to undergo big expansions and there have been so many student housing options built recently near the campus.
Is Reno just like Vegas?
Reno is not at all like Vegas and that’s one of the things I love about it. Is Reno bigger than Vegas? Also, no. We have gaming and casinos, but not nearly the crowds, the traffic, the heat, or the adult-geared environment. Reno is about 450 miles Northwest of Las Vegas. It takes about 7 hours to drive there or an hour to fly.
Christy Klingler | Realtor | Lic#S.49001 | 775.750.5492 | cklingler@dicksonrealty.com
Dickson Realty
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