Looking to move out west? Hoping to find a more affordable place to live than the biggest cities in Nevada and California? Making a move to find a better career? There are plenty of reasons you might want to move to Reno, Nevada, and we’re here to help give you a primer on everything the “biggest little city in the world” has to offer.
Thanks to some infrastructure and city planning upgrades, recent years have seen more people moving to Reno than leaving. It’s currently the third most populous city in Nevada, with a population of around 300,000 people.
You may recognize Reno’s name as a hotbed for gambling and gaming, but the city has established its own culture and lifestyle for its residents. Yes, you’ll still have plenty of casinos if you’re looking to try your hand, but there are no shortage of opportunities to engage with art, try delicious food and drink, and experience the outdoors with nearby ski slopes.
Keep reading for a few more things to know before moving to Reno, and you’ll see why it’s been voted one of the happiest places to live in the U.S. by multiple publications.
What’s there to do in Reno?
Reno has been known for its casinos for some time, and many consider it a younger sibling to Las Vegas, but living in Reno also opens you up to unique street art and murals, museums, culture, and the stunning landscapes and outdoor fun of nearby Lake Tahoe and the Nevada Mountains.
Arts enthusiasts who enjoy the outdoors will find plenty to love about the Nevada Museum of Art, and science lovers can get hands-on STEM experience at the Discovery. If you’re more of a music and theatre fan, the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts hosts many touring Broadway and music events, and you’ll catch great concerts thanks to the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra and Reno Pops Orchestra.
If you’ve got an appetite, you’ll find everything from cozy street carts to upscale fine dining serving food from all over the world in Reno. The Brewery District is home to some of the best craft breweries in Nevada if you’re a fan of craft beer.
What sort of jobs are available in Reno?
Gaming, tourism, and recreation are most likely the first industries you think of when Reno comes to mind, but the city has been diversifying its employment base over time; manufacturing, construction, financial services, communications, and transportation now make up 25 percent of the workforce. If you’re looking for a new job, Reno has plenty of reputable companies in the education, healthcare, and tourism markets for you to look into.
As a little snapshot of Reno’s bustling job market, the city added 3,238 jobs between January and August 2025. The city’s unemployment rate was 4.2 percent in November 2025, a percentage lower than the Nevada rate.
What’s the cost of living in Reno?
There are plenty of cultural and career reasons to make a move to Reno, but you’ll end up paying a little bit more than average to enjoy it.
While the median household income is $86,721 (higher than the U.S. average), Reno costs about 9 percent more to live than the national average as well, and most of that cost applies to buying or leasing a home.
The median home sale price was $541,667 in November 2025, and about 16.1% of those homes are still selling above list price.
If renting is more your style, you’ll be happy to know that median rents are just a bit lower than the national average, with the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment at $1,095. The median for a two-bedroom is only a little higher at $1,350.
What are the best neighborhoods in Reno?
Whether you prefer the great outdoors or the convenience and fast pace of city life, Reno has plenty to offer. Check out these highly recommended neighborhoods for those moving to Reno:
Midtown
Full of cafes, restaurants, vintage clothing shops, trendy bars, and located close to several great trails, Midtown offers a little something for everyone. There is a mixture of homes, from older and cost-effective to modern and pricey.
Caughlin Ranch
You’ll have to have a bigger budget for this planned community, but it’s worth it if you’re looking to live in a quiet area surrounded by lakes, big parks, nature trails and more. There’s also a state-of-the-art fitness facility among the subdivisions.
Stead
Just 20 minutes from downtown Reno, Stead is ideal for those searching for lower-cost homes. You’ll trade in some of the amenities of other neighborhoods, but shopping is still only a few minutes away by car.
Riverwalk District
If you prefer a walkable area, this is your neighborhood. A stroll along the Truckee River will bring you to shops, restaurants, cafes, galleries and more. Housing is made up mostly of multi-story condo buildings.
Mira Loma
One of the most affordable neighborhoods in Reno, Mira Loma is full of lower-priced condos and single-family homes. There are still several restaurants and shopping options in the neighborhood, with the Meadowood mall area nearby.
Other neighborhoods to include in your Reno home search:
- Arrowcreek
- Galena Forest Estates
- Kings Row
- Donner Springs
- Newlands Historic District
How walkable and drivable is Reno?
Although Reno’s public transport systems are safe and reliable, they’re not the most convenient. While the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) bus system has a wide reach with plenty of routes, there are so many that you’ll usually need several transfers to get exactly where you want to go.
The city also scores low for walkability, but it’s been making moves to become more bikeable, with local organizations promoting bicycling as a more sustainable means of transportation. As it stands, you’ll probably want to bring your car with you.
How good is Reno’s education system?
Reno has some of the top high schools in Nevada (and the U.S.), with Davidson Academy; Academy of the Arts, Careers and Technology; Coral Academy of Science; and Reno High School all in the state’s top 10. The city’s K-12 proficiency scores consistently outrank those of the state’s public school average. However, if you’d rather give your child a private education, there are 37 private schools available for you to look into.
If you’re looking for a higher education, the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) is right there, and there are many universities a relatively short drive away.
What weather can I expect in Reno?
Located in a high desert valley, Reno celebrates a dry, year-round warmth and plenty of sunshine. However, thanks to the cooler air from the Nevada Mountains and Lake Tahoe, the city still enjoys distinct seasons. Expect warm summers and comfortably cool winters with occasional snow days.
July and August are the hottest months in Reno, with each seeing most days reach or exceed 90 degrees fahrenheit. December and January are the coldest months, with lows around 26 degrees, but highs still get into the mid-40s.
What else is there to do in Reno?
There’s plenty of activities for all walks of life in Reno, even if you’re not into casinos:
- Stroll the pedestrian walkway along the gorgeous Riverwalk District.
- Join a street art tour to experience Reno’s unique public art through its many murals, or pop by the Nevada Museum of Art Sculpture Garden.
- Enjoy trendy shopping and delicious food on Dickerson Road.
- Visit the National Automobile Museum, home to over 200 historic vehicles.
- Check out the Discovery Museum downtown for family-friendly STEM experiences.
- Go surfing on the Truckee River, or visit one of its two main standing waves in Wingfield Park.
- Scale the World’s Tallest Artificial Climbing Wall, a 164-foot climb found on the side of the Whitney Peak Hotel.
- Have a swim, a relaxing boat ride, or a jet ski adventure at Pyramid Lake.
- Experience the outdoors at the Rancho San Rafael Regional Park, a pleasantly green getaway next to the University of Nevada, Reno campus.
- Make the move official with a photo under the Reno Arch.
How do I find storage in Reno?
By now, you should have a better idea of whether Reno is the right city for you. If you’re looking for diverse cultural experiences, a new career, or just a change of scenery, it may be worth putting Reno on your list!
Moving to Reno and need a little extra space? We can help! SelfStorage.com’s built-in search tool will help you find storage units with the features you need at the best price.
