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California to Nevada Moving Guide

Updated June 15, 2025

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Planning a 424 mile interstate move from California to Nevada? This moving guide will help you compare living in California vs Nevada across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower cost of living), food & health (like Sourdough Bread vs Shrimp Cocktail), real estate & housing (spanish & modern vs ranch & contemporary), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in California), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Sourdough Bread and Tri-tip BBQ, but get your taste buds ready for Shrimp Cocktail & Prime Rib
  • Nevada housing costs are 45% less expensive than they are in California
  • Rent in Nevada is 36.29% more affordable than in California
  • Moving from California to Nevada will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
  • Our top recommended California to Nevada movers is Anytime Anywhere Piano & Moving Co.

California to Nevada Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from California to Nevada

ConsCalifornia iconCalifornia
  • High cost of living
  • Heavy traffic
  • Severe droughts
  • High taxes
  • Earthquake risks
ProsNevada iconNevada
  • Lower cost of living
  • Less congestion
  • Reliable water supply
  • No state income tax
  • Few natural disasters

Nevada iconNevada
  • Landlocked
  • Less diversity
  • Fewer tech jobs
  • Hot summers
  • Limited wineries
California iconCalifornia
  • Coastal access
  • Diverse cultures
  • Thriving tech industry
  • Moderate climate
  • Famous wine regions

Pros of moving from California to Nevada

  • Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to the lower cost of living
  • Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic and moving to Nevada with less congestion
  • Swap the severe droughts of California for a reliable water supply in Nevada
  • Get ready for no state income tax in Nevada

Cons of moving from California to Nevada

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from coastal access in California to live with being landlocked in Nevada
  • You'll lose out on the pro of diverse cultures and have to settle for the con of less diversity
  • Time to bid farewell to a thriving tech industry and get used to fewer tech jobs in Nevada
  • Swap a moderate climate for hot summers

California vs. Nevada: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonCaliforniaNevada
Most iconic local food itemSourdough BreadShrimp Cocktail
Most popular meat dishTri-tip BBQPrime Rib
Most popular street food itemFish TacosStreet Tacos
Most popular vegan foodAvocado ToastVegan Burger
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Chez Panisse
  • In-N-Out Burger
  • The French Laundry
  • Bacchanal Buffet
  • Romanza
  • JoΓ«l Robuchon
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from California to Nevada, you will be trading the iconic Sourdough Bread of California for the equally delicious Shrimp Cocktail of Nevada. And while the locals in California rave about their flavorful Tri-tip BBQ and sumptuous Fish Tacos, Nevada residents know they have tasty Prime Rib and Street Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Avocado Toast they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Burger of Nevada. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic California eateries like Chez Panisse, In-N-Out Burger, and The French Laundry. After the boxes are unpacked in Nevada, don't wait too long before making your way to Nevada's acclaimed eateries like Bacchanal Buffet, Romanza, and JoΓ«l Robuchon.

When comparing lifestyles, Nevada shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than California. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Nevada, compared to what you are used to in California. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Nevada.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between California and Nevada

ComparisonCaliforniaNevada
Typical Architecture StyleSpanish & ModernRanch & Contemporary
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingProximity to the coast, eco-friendly featuresAccess to entertainment, spacious lots
  • The Spanish and Modern architecture that California is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Contemporary architecture typical of Nevada.
  • Compared to California's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to the coast and eco-friendly features, Nevada real estate listings often highlight features like access to entertainment and spacious lots.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Nevada is less walkable than California.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Nevada is less bike-friendly than California.
  • Nevada has less of an urban feel than California.
  • Nevada housing costs are 45% less expensive than they are in California, with a median home price of $432,764 compared to California’s $783,666.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Nevada have increased 44% compared to a 42% increase in California.
  • Rent in Nevada is 36.29% more affordable than in California.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between California and Nevada

ComparisonCaliforniaNevada
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersEarthquakes, WildfiresEarthquakes, Wildfires
Air QualityModerateGood
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F/59Β°F94Β°F/69Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)68Β°F/48Β°F57Β°F/28Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)2210
Annual Snowfall (Inches)721.8
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from California to Nevada. Nevada gets 11% fewer sunshine days than California.
  • Nevada has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to California.
  • Say goodbye to the possible earthquakes and wildfires in California, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and wildfires in Nevada.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Nevada is 9 degrees warmer than California.
  • The average winter lows are 20 degrees colder than they are in California.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Nevada. Nevada receives 12 fewer inches of rain compared to California.

Financial & Community Snapshot: California and Nevada

ComparisonCaliforniaNevada
Avg. Household Income$91,551$72,333
Cost of Living Index136.4101.5
State Income Tax1% - 13.3%0%
Avg. Property Tax0.73%0.60%
Avg. Sales Tax7.25%6.85%
Top 3 IndustriesTechnology, Entertainment, AgricultureTourism, Mining, Healthcare
AffluenceHighModerate
PovertyModerateModerate
HomelessnessHighLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Nevada tend to earn about 21% less than in California
  • The COLI in Nevada will be 26% lower than what you are used to living in California
  • Hooray, moving to NV means you'll no longer have state income taxes
  • The affluence in Nevada is moderate compared to high in California
  • The poverty level is moderate in Nevada compared to moderate in California
  • In terms of homelessness, it is high in California and low in Nevada

Political and Religious Climate in California vs. Nevada

ComparisonCaliforniaNevada
Political Make-upLiberal, Democratic strongholdSwing state, politically diverse
Local PoliticsProgressive policies in urban areasMixture of conservative and liberal local governments
ReligionMore secular, diverse religionsChristian majority, but also diverse
  • California tends to lean Liberal, a Democratic stronghold in its political climate
  • Nevada, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state, politically diverse
  • Nevada's religious environment can be described as a Christian majority, but also diverse
  • California's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as more secular with diverse religions

Education Guide When Moving from California to Nevada

ComparisonCaliforniaNevada
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)UCLA
UC Berkeley
Stanford University
UNLV
University of Nevada
Reno
Nevada State College
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsPoint Vicente Elementary
Rancho Santa Margarita; Reed School
Tiburon; Old Orchard Elementary School
Valencia
John Vanderburg Elementary School
Henderson; Coral Academy of Science Elementary School
Reno; Elise L. Wolff Elementary
Henderson
Top 3 Middle SchoolsMuseum School
San Diego; High Tech LA
Van Nuys; The Nueva School
Hillsborough
Bob Miller Middle School
Henderson; Pine Middle School
Reno; Hyde Park Middle School
Las Vegas
Top 3 High School SchoolsCalifornia Academy of Mathematics and Science
Carson; Henry M. Gunn High School
Palo Alto; Troy High School
Fullerton
The Davidson Academy
Reno; Advanced Technologies Academy
Las Vegas; Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas
Henderson
Top 3 private high schoolsHarvard-Westlake School
Los Angeles; Stanford Online High School
Stanford; The Thacher School
Ojai
The Meadows School
Las Vegas; Sage Ridge School
Reno; Bishop Gorman High School
Las Vegas
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsCastilleja School
Palo Alto; The Harker School
San Jose; Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences
Santa Monica
Lake Mead Christian Academy
Henderson; Faith Lutheran Middle School & High School
Las Vegas; The Meadows School
Las Vegas
Top 3 School DistrictsPalo Alto Unified School District; San Marino Unified School District; La CaΓ±ada Unified School DistrictClark County School District; Washoe County School District; Elko County School District

How Much Do California to Nevada Movers Cost?

Moving 424 miles from California to Nevada will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Anytime Anywhere Piano & Moving Co.
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,443300 ft3$4.81
1 Bedroom$2,142450 ft3$4.76
2 Bedrooms$3,532750 ft3$4.71
3 Bedrooms$5,1251100 ft3$4.66
4 Bedrooms$7,3751600 ft3$4.61
5+ Bedrooms$8,2071800 ft3$4.56

Top California to Nevada Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best California to Nevada movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Anytime Anywhere Piano & Moving Co. featured image

Anytime Anywhere Piano & Moving Co.

Best moving company overall for California to Nevada

9.68/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
OCD Moving Services LLC featured image

OCD Moving Services LLC

9.66/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Pure Moving featured image

Pure Moving

9.64/10
ExceptionalView details