Nevada is one of the least densely populated states in the nation thanks in part to its areas of desert and mountains, but it’s also home to large cities like Las Vegas and Reno where the casinos and city lights glimmer all through the night. Las Vegas is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations, but is it a nice place to live too? Vegas is included in our list of the ten largest cities in Nevada, and we’ve ranked them according to how livable they are: crime rates, cost of living, amenities, education, employment, weather, and the housing market were all factors we took into consideration.
10. Elko
Elko’s motto is The Best Small Town in America, and although it doesn’t rank the best in our list it is still a nice place to live. Home to less than 20,000 people, Elko is in northeast Nevada and has an above average crime rate compared to our other cities, and is one of the more expensive cities to live in.
9. Boulder City
Built to house the construction workers for the Hoover Dam, Boulder City has developed into a very desirable little city. It’s a lovely place to live if you want to be somewhere with few crime problems, good schools, low unemployment, a stable housing market, great weather, and a low cost of living. The only reason why Boulder City doesn’t rank higher is a lack of amenities.
8. North Las Vegas
A newer city north of Las Vegas itself, North Las Vegas is the fourth largest city in the state, and the eighth best place to live in Nevada. Though the city scores well for amenities, cost of living, and employment, it falls short on crime and education.
7. Fernley
Located about 30 miles east of Reno is the small city of Fernley. Their motto is A Great Place to Live, Work, and Play, and we couldn’t disagree! With its average marks across the board Fernley is a good place to raise a family and scores highest for its low cost of living.
6. Las Vegas
Las Vegas is the largest city in Nevada, home to around 584,000 residents and a whole many more visitors who come here year-round for the entertainment, casinos, weather, and golfing. Crime rates in Las Vegas are among the highest of our ten cities, but this if offset by the excellent access to amenities, and a relatively low cost of living, making Vegas the sixth best city in Nevada.
5. Sparks
Set right next door to the larger city of Reno is Sparks. It’s the fifth largest city, and the fifth best place to live in Nevada. Sparks scores best for amenities, cost of living, employment, and a stable housing market, and about average for crime and education.
4. Carson City
Carson City is the capital of Nevada and the state’s sixth largest city. Unusual for a state capital it’s close to the edge of Nevada, near Lake Tahoe so the city is blessed with some great scenery, as well as ample amenities, a very low cost of living, and a stable housing market. Carson City is the fourth best city in Nevada.
3. Reno
As well as being the third largest city, Reno is the third best city in Nevada. Nicknamed The Biggest Little City in the World, Reno’s population has grown to around 227,000 so it’s not really a small city anymore! Either way, it’s a nice place to live and only fails to rank any higher because of its high crime index.
2. Henderson
The second best city in Nevada is Henderson. It’s part of the Las Vegas metro area and was ranked America’s second safest city by Forbes magazine in 2011. Henderson certainly does have a lower crime rate than other large cities in Nevada, plus its schools are good, employment is high, and the housing market is stable.
1.Mesquite
Mesquite is the number one best city in Nevada! Right near the Arizona state line this small city has been growing in recent years as it attracts a high retiree population who come here for the low cost of living, great amenities, low crime index, and stable housing market.
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