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Nevada to California Moving Guide

Updated June 4, 2025

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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

ConsNevada iconNevada
  • Hot desert climate
  • Limited job diversity
  • Sparse cultural events
  • Water scarcity issues
ProsCalifornia iconCalifornia
  • Mild coastal weather
  • Thriving tech industry
  • Vibrant arts scenes
  • Better water management

California iconCalifornia
  • Higher cost of living
  • High state taxes
  • Busy urban centers
  • Dense population
Nevada iconNevada
  • 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

ComparisonNevadaCalifornia
Most iconic local food itemShrimp CocktailFish Tacos
Most popular meat dishPrime RibTri-tip
Most popular street food itemFood Truck TacosKorean BBQ Tacos
Most popular vegan foodVegan BuffetsAvocado Toast
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
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 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

ComparisonNevadaCalifornia
Typical Architecture StyleRanch, ModernSpanish, Modern, Craftsman
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 listingSpacious interiors, desert viewsEnergy 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 Nevada’s $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

ComparisonNevadaCalifornia
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 DisastersWildfires, EarthquakesWildfires, Earthquakes, Mudslides
Air QualityGoodVaries widely
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)90Β°F / 60Β°F85Β°F / 55Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)45Β°F / 25Β°F60Β°F / 40Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)1022
Annual Snowfall (Inches)21.8Varies 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

ComparisonNevadaCalifornia
Avg. Household Income$72,333$91,551
Cost of Living Index101.5136.4
State Income Tax0%1% - 13.3%
Avg. Property Tax0.53%0.73%
Avg. Sales Tax8.23%8.66%
Top 3 IndustriesTourism, Mining, ManufacturingTechnology, Entertainment, Tourism
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyModerateHigh
HomelessnessModerateHigh
  • 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

ComparisonNevadaCalifornia
Political Make-upPurple, competitiveBlue, leans Democratic
Local PoliticsMixture of Democratic and Republican leadershipPrimarily Democratic leadership
ReligionMixed, with notable Christian and non-religious communitiesDiverse, 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

ComparisonNevadaCalifornia
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 SchoolsEileen 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 SchoolsBob 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 SchoolsThe 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 schoolsBishop 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 schoolsSage 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 DistrictsClark 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 - $5,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Anytime Anywhere Piano & Moving Co.
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,441300 ft3$4.80
1 Bedroom$2,139450 ft3$4.75
2 Bedrooms$3,528750 ft3$4.70
3 Bedrooms$5,1191100 ft3$4.65
4 Bedrooms$7,3661600 ft3$4.60
5+ Bedrooms$8,1971800 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.

TOP PICK
Anytime Anywhere Piano & Moving Co. featured image

Anytime Anywhere Piano & Moving Co.

Best moving company overall for Nevada to California

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

Las Vegas to California

Henderson to California