Nevada to California Moving Guide
Updated June 4, 2025

Planning a 421 mile interstate move from Nevada to California? This moving guide will help you compare living in Nevada vs California across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hot desert climate vs mild coastal weather), food & health (like Shrimp Cocktail vs Fish Tacos), real estate & housing (ranch, modern vs spanish, modern, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in California), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Shrimp Cocktail and Prime Rib, but get your taste buds ready for Fish Tacos & Tri-tip
- California housing costs are 81% more expensive than they are in Nevada
- Rent in California is 56.95% more expensive than in Nevada
- Moving from Nevada to California will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended Nevada to California movers is Anytime Anywhere Piano & Moving Co.
Nevada to California Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Nevada to California
- Hot desert climate
- Limited job diversity
- Sparse cultural events
- Water scarcity issues
- Mild coastal weather
- Thriving tech industry
- Vibrant arts scenes
- Better water management
- Higher cost of living
- High state taxes
- Busy urban centers
- Dense population
- Low cost of living
- No state income tax
- Quiet rural towns
- Wide open spaces
Pros of moving from Nevada to California
- Say goodbye to hot desert climate and hello to mild coastal weather
- Look forward to moving away from limited job diversity and moving to California with a thriving tech industry
- Swap the sparse cultural events of Nevada for vibrant arts scenes in California
- Get ready for better water management in California
Cons of moving from Nevada to California
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the low cost of living in Nevada to live with the higher cost of living in California
- You'll lose out on the pro of no state income tax and have to settle for the con of high state taxes
- Time to bid farewell to quiet rural towns and get used to busy urban centers in California
- Swap wide open spaces for a dense population
Nevada vs. California: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Nevada | California |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Shrimp Cocktail | Fish Tacos |
Most popular meat dish | Prime Rib | Tri-tip |
Most popular street food item | Food Truck Tacos | Korean BBQ Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Vegan Buffets | Avocado Toast |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from Nevada to California, you will be trading the iconic Shrimp Cocktail of Nevada for the equally delicious Fish Tacos of California. And while the locals in Nevada rave about their flavorful Prime Rib and sumptuous Food Truck Tacos, California residents know they have tasty Tri-tip and Korean BBQ Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Buffets they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Avocado Toast of California. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Nevada eateries like Peppermill, Picasso, and Guy Savoy. After the boxes are unpacked in California, don't wait too long before making your way to California's acclaimed eateries like Chez TJ, The French Laundry, and Nopa.
When comparing lifestyles, California shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Nevada. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in California, compared to what you are used to in Nevada. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in California.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Nevada and California
Comparison | Nevada | California |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch, Modern | Spanish, Modern, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious interiors, desert views | Energy efficiency, ocean views |
- The Ranch and Modern architecture that Nevada is known for will be replaced with the Spanish, Modern and Craftsman architecture typical of California.
- Compared to Nevada's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious interiors and desert views, California real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and ocean views.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. California is more walkable than Nevada.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. California is more bike-friendly than Nevada.
- California has more of an urban feel than Nevada.
- California housing costs are 81% more expensive than they are in Nevada, with a median home price of $783,666 compared to Nevadaβs $432,764.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in California have increased 42% compared to a 44% increase in Nevada.
- Rent in California is 56.95% more expensive than in Nevada.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Nevada and California
Comparison | Nevada | California |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Wildfires, Earthquakes | Wildfires, Earthquakes, Mudslides |
Air Quality | Good | Varies widely |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90Β°F / 60Β°F | 85Β°F / 55Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 45Β°F / 25Β°F | 60Β°F / 40Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 10 | 22 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 21.8 | Varies by region |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Nevada to California. California gets 14% more sunshine days than Nevada.
- California has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Nevada.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and earthquakes in Nevada, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires, earthquakes, and mudslides in California.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in California is 5 degrees colder than in Nevada.
- The average winter lows are 15 degrees warmer than they are in Nevada.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in California. California receives 12 more inches of rain compared to Nevada.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Nevada and California
Comparison | Nevada | California |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $72,333 | $91,551 |
Cost of Living Index | 101.5 | 136.4 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 1% - 13.3% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.53% | 0.73% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.23% | 8.66% |
Top 3 Industries | Tourism, Mining, Manufacturing | Technology, Entertainment, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | High |
Homelessness | Moderate | High |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in California tend to earn about 27% more than in Nevada
- The COLI in California will be 34% higher than what you are used to living in Nevada
- Bummer... By moving from NV to CA, you'll now have a state income tax of 1% - 13.3%
- The affluence in California is high compared to moderate in Nevada
- The poverty level is high in California compared to moderate in Nevada
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Nevada and high in California
Political and Religious Climate in Nevada vs. California
Comparison | Nevada | California |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Purple, competitive | Blue, leans Democratic |
Local Politics | Mixture of Democratic and Republican leadership | Primarily Democratic leadership |
Religion | Mixed, with notable Christian and non-religious communities | Diverse, strong Christian base with significant other religions and non-religious groups |
- Nevada tends to lean purple and competitive in its political climate
- California, on the other hand, is often described as blue and leans Democratic
- California's religious environment can be described as diverse with a strong Christian base and significant other religions and non-religious groups
- Nevada's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mixed, with notable Christian and non-religious communities
Education Guide When Moving from Nevada to California
Comparison | Nevada | California |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Nevada Las Vegas University of Nevada Reno Nevada State College | University of California Los Angeles University of California Berkeley Stanford University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Eileen Conners Elementary School Las Vegas Roger D. Gehring Elementary Las Vegas John Vanderburg Elementary School Henderson | Point Vicente Elementary School Rancho Palos Verdes Westlake Elementary School Santa Cruz Cold Spring School Santa Barbara |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Bob Miller Middle School Henderson Ernest Becker Middle School Las Vegas Hyde Park Middle School Las Vegas | Henry M. Gunn High School Palo Alto Miller Creek Middle School San Rafael Redwood Middle School Saratoga |
Top 3 High School Schools | The Davidson Academy Reno Advanced Technologies Academy Las Vegas The Meadows School Las Vegas | California Academy of Mathematics and Science Carson Henry M. Gunn High School Palo Alto Troy High School Fullerton |
Top 3 private high schools | Bishop Gorman High School Las Vegas The Meadows School Las Vegas Sage Ridge School Reno | Harvard-Westlake School Los Angeles The Harker School San Jose Polytechnic School Pasadena |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Sage Ridge School Reno Lake Mead Christian Academy Henderson The Meadows School Las Vegas | The Harker School San Jose Harvard-Westlake School Los Angeles Polytechnic School Pasadena |
Top 3 School Districts | Clark County School District Washoe County School District Carson City School District | Los Angeles Unified School District San Diego Unified School District Santa Clara County Office of Education |
How Much Do Nevada to California Movers Cost?
Moving 421 miles from Nevada to California 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,441 | 300 ft3 | $4.80 |
1 Bedroom | $2,139 | 450 ft3 | $4.75 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,528 | 750 ft3 | $4.70 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,119 | 1100 ft3 | $4.65 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,366 | 1600 ft3 | $4.60 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,197 | 1800 ft3 | $4.55 |
Top Nevada to California Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Nevada to California movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Anytime Anywhere Piano & Moving Co.
Best moving company overall for Nevada to California
Las Vegas to California
- Las Vegas to Anaheim
- Las Vegas to Bakersfield
- Las Vegas to Chula Vista
- Las Vegas to Corona
- Las Vegas to Elk Grove
- Las Vegas to Escondido
- Las Vegas to Fontana
- Las Vegas to Fremont
- Las Vegas to Fresno
- Las Vegas to Garden Grove
- Las Vegas to Glendale
- Las Vegas to Hayward
- Las Vegas to Huntington Beach
- Las Vegas to Irvine
- Las Vegas to Lancaster
- Las Vegas to Long Beach
- Las Vegas to Los Angeles
- Las Vegas to Modesto
- Las Vegas to Moreno Valley
- Las Vegas to Oakland
- Las Vegas to Oceanside
- Las Vegas to Ontario
- Las Vegas to Oxnard
- Las Vegas to Palmdale
- Las Vegas to Pomona
- Las Vegas to Rancho Cucamonga
- Las Vegas to Riverside
- Las Vegas to Sacramento
- Las Vegas to Salinas
- Las Vegas to San Bernardino
- Las Vegas to San Diego
- Las Vegas to San Francisco
- Las Vegas to San Jose
- Las Vegas to Santa Ana
- Las Vegas to Santa Clarita
- Las Vegas to Santa Rosa
- Las Vegas to Stockton
- Las Vegas to Sunnyvale
Henderson to California
- Henderson to Anaheim
- Henderson to Bakersfield
- Henderson to Chula Vista
- Henderson to Corona
- Henderson to Elk Grove
- Henderson to Escondido
- Henderson to Fontana
- Henderson to Fremont
- Henderson to Fresno
- Henderson to Garden Grove
- Henderson to Glendale
- Henderson to Hayward
- Henderson to Huntington Beach
- Henderson to Irvine
- Henderson to Lancaster
- Henderson to Long Beach
- Henderson to Los Angeles
- Henderson to Modesto
- Henderson to Moreno Valley
- Henderson to Oakland
- Henderson to Oceanside
- Henderson to Ontario
- Henderson to Oxnard
- Henderson to Palmdale
- Henderson to Pomona
- Henderson to Rancho Cucamonga
- Henderson to Riverside
- Henderson to Sacramento
- Henderson to Salinas
- Henderson to San Bernardino
- Henderson to San Diego
- Henderson to San Francisco
- Henderson to San Jose
- Henderson to Santa Ana
- Henderson to Santa Clarita
- Henderson to Santa Rosa
- Henderson to Stockton
- Henderson to Sunnyvale