Firstly why Reno, Nevada?
I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:
- City: Reno
- State: Nevada
- Population: 257,294 people
- Reno’s quick summary would be Known as ‘The Biggest Little City in the World,’ famous for its casinos, outdoor activities, and proximity to Lake Tahoe.
Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:
- How many people move-in: 15,000 annually
- While this many move-out: 10,000 annually
- Net Migration: 5000 more people in (net) annual change
- Non-Citizen Move-in: 600
- Number of Homeless people: 500
You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it features a vibrant gaming industry attracting tourists and residents
Perk #1: Reno Demographic Mix & Lifestyle
- The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 35%
- Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 56%
- Largest Local Ethnic Group is White
- The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly White
- The median income is (and growing) $59,000
- Income Required to Live Comfortably in Reno is $67,000
- Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $8000 in positive cash flow
This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?
Perk #2: Housing & Reno’s Cost of Living
- Cost of Living Index: 115 (100 is the US average)
- Annual Property Tax Per House: $3,192
- Property Tax %: 0.79%
- Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $1,400
- Rent for an average house: $2,000
- Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: Downtown
- Top 5 Growing Areas: Reno, Sparks, Fernley, Sun-Valley, and probably could include Tahoe
- Avg. Age of Homes in Reno: 29 years
- The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 1.5%
If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.
Perk #3: Job Market & Reno’s Economy
- 3 Industries gaining traction in Reno are Tourism, Gaming, and Retail
- Reno Job Scene: healthy job market focused on tourism and gaming
- The General Tech Scene: developing tech scene focused on logistics, gaming, and local services
- Reno Resident’s pay $1,400 in City Tax alone!
- Local Sales Tax in Reno: 8.15%
- No. of Independent Businesses: 90 (excluding chains and corporates)
- Number of Local Branch Banks: 16
Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.
Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in Reno
- Monthly Transportation Costs: $120 on average per person
- Freeway Access: I-80 runs through Reno providing critical east-west connectivity
- Commute Time: 25 minutes (public & private)
- Main Evening Traffic Area: evening congestion on I-80
- Transportation Score: 36 out of 100 described as Some Transit
- No. of Vehicles Registered in Reno: 160,000
- Cars registered per Person: 0.6
- No. of Car Washes: 5 in and around the city
- DMV Website for Reno: dmv.nv.gov
- The Bike-Friendly Score: 63 of 100
- Local Airport: Reno-Tahoe International
Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.
Perk #5: Reno’s Weather & Natural Factors
- The Most Common Natural Disaster is Wildfires
- General Weather in Reno is best described as experiences hot summers and cold winters with low annual precipitation
- Winter Weather in Reno i’d describe as cold with some snow
- Spring Weather in Reno can be described as mild with some rain
- Summer’s in Reno are mostly warm and dry
- Fall ( the nicest time) in Reno is usually cool with sunny days
- How many days in a row over 90°F: 3 days in summer
- Days in a row in Reno below Freezing: 0
- Average Annual Rainfall: 8 inches
- Summer Air Quality is usually good air quality mostly untroubled by heavy pollution
- Reno Winter Air generally good air quality with few pollution concerns
Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.
Perk #6: Reno Education & Schools
- The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
- Number of Colleges and Universities in Reno 5
- While the number of trade schools inside Renos’s city limits are 4
- Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the RenoTahoe International Airport Library
If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.
Perk #7: Healthcare & Reno Stats
- Typical EMS Response Time: 8 minutes
- Registered Full-Time Reno only Doctors is about 60
- Local Hospitals here is 5
- Full-time Reno only Police Officers is about 200
- Crime Rate Index: 50/100
Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.
Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality
- Reno’s Monthly utility bill average is $120
- Reno’s Monthly Gym Membership: $45
- Reno’s Water Quality Score: 72
Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.
Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in Reno
- Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 6 annually
- The General Local City Vibe: city known for its casinos and outdoor adventures
- You might enjoy concerts at the Reno Events Center
- Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Reno has a dynamic nightlife featuring casinos bars clubs and live entertainment showcasing the local talents
If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.
Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of Reno
- The Objective Restaurant Scene Includes a range of casual dining and local favorites
- The Number of Independent Restaurants are 40 scattered around Reno
- The Popular Sports Team is Reno Aces
- Top Level Political Climate in Reno can be described as political mix with growing progressive influence in urban development
- Reno’s Longer standing religious establishment is Reno First Assembly of God
Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.
Perk #11: Reno Parks & Green Spaces
- Did you know Reno has 60 Parks?
- Idlewild Park is Reno’s Green Space Center
- The local favorite Farmers Market is Reno Farmers Market normally open Thursday 4pm-8pm
- Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Hiking, skiing, and biking
Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.
Perk #12: Reno Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity
- The Pace of Life in Reno can be described as active urban environment with outdoor recreation and arts focus
- 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Reno hiking nature trails visiting parks community festivals
- The Cities people commute to from Reno are Troy 11 miles away Schenectady 24 miles away Saratoga-Springs 26 miles away
Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.
8 Drawbacks about Reno or are they?
No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.
- Traffic/Commute Issues
Maybe you read: evening congestion on I-80. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts. - Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
Reno’s Wildfires risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up. - Pricey Neighborhoods
If Downtown is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Reno are Troy 11 miles away Schenectady 24 miles away Saratoga-Springs 26 miles away. - Crime Rate Concerns
With a 50 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this. - Harsh Climate Contrasts
Reno has 0 days in a row below freezing and 3 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it. - Limited Extra Funds
After general costs of living here in Reno people have an average (positive or negative) $8000 in positive cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here. - Homelessness or Social Challenges
500 homeless people living in Reno. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions. - Cultural/Political Mismatch
The general political mix with growing progressive influence in urban development could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to Reno.
Retiree & Senior Life in Reno
- Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can can receive property tax reductions aimed at enhancing financial comfort
- The most established Senior Citizen Community is Brookdale
- Reno Senior Center features meal programs and wellness resources for senior citizens
If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.
Moving to Reno, Nevada?
If Reno, Nevada ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help
As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.
A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around Reno, Nevada, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!