On the Nevada banks of the Colorado River, Laughlin is a resort town full of casinos and outdoor recreation. “We don’t have 55-plus specific communities, but we attract a lot of retirees that want to stay active,” says Cynthia McCall of RE/MAX Five Star Realty, who has over 15 years of experience in the area. “It’s great for people who like to gamble and see the shows the casinos offer, but don’t want the hustle and bustle of Vegas.” The unincorporated town of 8,600 was the brainchild of entrepreneur Don Laughlin, who purchased the property in 1964 after seeing its potential. Laughlin opened the town’s first casino in 1967, and today there are eight riverfront casinos on the area’s main strip, making it a major destination for people who want the bright lights with the added benefit of being close to the Colorado River.
There are eight riverfront casinos on the Laughlin's main strip, all with restaurants and amenities.
The unincorporated town of Laughlin was the brainchild of entrepreneur Don Laughlin.
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Boating and fishing in the Colorado River
When they aren’t at the slot machine or the blackjack table, locals get outside and enjoy Laughlin’s natural landscape. “Four-wheeling and driving dune buggies are huge out here,” says McCall. “People are also always out on the river, boating, water skiing and fishing.” The Big Bend of the Colorado State Recreation Area is a 2,100-acre park southwest of downtown; it has 2 miles of shoreline where locals can lay on the beach or launch boats, plus 4 miles of hiking trails. Residents also visit the recreation area to camp under the stars.
Laughlin is the perfect destination for boating enthusiasts.
In Laughlin, residents and visitors can camp under the stars at the Big Bend of the Colorado State Recreation Area.
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Living near Big Bend of the Colorado Recreation Area
Single-family homes in Laughlin have a median price of $375,000, while the median townhouse price is $257,000. “It’s mostly single-family homes, but townhouses have become more popular in recent years with people from California that only live here part of the time,” says McCall. “We have some really nice custom builds, and then some older, more affordable homes for people who just kind of want a place to park their boat or trailer.” Most homes are clustered in subdivisions east of Big Bend of the Colorado Recreation Area.
Single-family homes in Laughlin have a median price of $375,000.
The median townhouse price in Laughlin is $257,000.
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Dining on South Casino Drive
Laughlin has a handful of restaurants along South Casino Drive. “Most of the dining is down by the casinos and on the river front,” says McCall. “Most of the casinos have steakhouses in them, and then there are some fun casual dining spots and bars with views of the water.” Shopping options are thin in Laughlin; the town has grocery stores, pharmacies and convenience stores, but retail options are lacking. “When I first moved here, the Laughlin Outlets were great and then had a downturn, but more shops are opening back up,” says McCall. “Overall, most people drive to Bullhead [City] for retail.”
Laughlin has a handful of restaurants along South Casino Drive, like Bubba Gump Shrimp featuring water views.
Located inside Golden Nugget Resort & Casino, Saltgrass Steak House is a local Laughlin favorite.
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Warm summers and mild winters
Laughlin has a dry desert climate with extreme temperature swings. The summers are hot with highs regularly exceeding 100 degrees from May to September. During the winter, highs are in the mid-60s and lows dip to the mid-40s.
Route 95 to Las Vegas
Silver Rider Transit is a local transportation system provided by Clark County offering daily bus routes around Laughlin. Laughlin has no hospital, so many locals take buses to Bullhead City for medical needs. For commuters, Highway 95 runs 5 miles south to Bullhead City, while Route 95 goes 90 miles north to Las Vegas, home to the nearest major airport.
Residents of Laughlin can easily commute using the Silver Rider Transit.
For medical needs, Laughlin residents head to Bullhead City where the Western Arizona Regional Medical Center is.
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Crime on a decline
According to Nevada Crime Statistics, Clark County saw a 21% decrease in property crime cases in 2024. The state also reported a 16% decrease in violent crime in 2024, continuing a five-year downward trend.
Learning at Clark County Schools
Kids in the area head to the Clark County School District, a massive school system with over 300,000 students. The district has a B overall grade on Niche and is ranked as the seventh-best district in Nevada. Laughlin students attend William G. Bennett Elementary, which has a C-plus ranking and a 9-to-1 student-teacher ratio. Laughlin Junior/Senior High School serves grades 6-12 and also has a C-plus grade.
Laughlin students attend William G. Bennett Elementary, which has a C-plus ranking.
Laughlin Junior/Senior High School serves grades 6-12.
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Written By
John Moyer
Photography Contributed By
Claudiu Varzaru
Video By
Taylor Gilbert
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Geoffrey Lavell,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in Laughlin, NV sell after 79 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Laughlin, NV over the last 12 months is $249,000, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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