There’s a reason Reno is known as “The Biggest Little City in the World.” The 105-square mile city in northwest Nevada treats residents to a spirited nightlife and entertainment scene, endless outdoor recreation, top-notch dining and a fast-growing tech industry. With a population of 273,500, Reno is the 81st most populous city in the country and the third most populous in Nevada. Adventure-seekers, gamers, foodies, creatives and entrepreneurs come from all over for its job opportunities, nightlife and entertainment. “We’re one of the top cities in the U.S. for job growth. So, we’re growing,” says Realtor Sandra Gabrielli of Re/Max Professionals, who grew up in Reno. The city’s gotten so big, it might have outgrown its motto: “I don’t know if it’s the biggest little city anymore. It’s just a big city,” Gabrielli says.
If Las Vegas is the nation’s hub for gambling and gaming, then Reno is like its little brother. Known for its high-end casinos and hotels, gaming is one of the city’s biggest revenue sources, raking in $665 million in 2023, a 2.4% increase from the year prior, according to the state's gaming control board. Locals and visitors can roll the dice under the neon lights on Virginia Street or hit the luxury hotels in the Downtown Reno district to find everything from slot machines and table games to high-stakes tournaments and events. While its casinos call to risk-takers, Reno has more than one trick up its sleeve — it’s known for some of the most diverse outdoor experiences in the country. Sitting at an altitude of 4,498 feet with the Sierra Nevada Mountains on the west side, the city invites hikers, mountain bikers or horse riders to test its rugged trails. The mountains are the gateway into Lake Tahoe, the largest alpine lake in the country and a popular year-round destination. The Truckee River is on the eastern side and is ideal for rafting and tubing during the summers.
Beyond its allure of slot machines and ski slopes, Reno has emerged as a central spot for tech businesses. Large-scale investments from Seattle and San Francisco-based companies such as Amazon, Tesla, Apple and Google have contributed to that growth. The city’s Tahoe Reno Industrial Center, a 15,000-acre development in South Meadows , is the largest industrial park in the world and home to Google, Switch and the Tesla Gigafactory, Reno’s largest employer with 11,000 workers. A new plant for battery development is slated to be added to the existing facility, a $3.6 million expansion, bringing over 3,000 more jobs to the city. Behind Tesla, the city’s largest employers are the Washoe County School District, Renown Reginal Medical Center, Washoe County and Peppermill Hotel Casino. The University of Nevada, Reno, has played a vital role in leading tech innovation for the city, as well. Its project, Nevada Lithium Batteries and Other EV Material Loop (NV), aims to advance lithium battery development across the entire state. “The Loop” involves over 50 public and private organizations working to make the region a leader in the lithium sector. This project earned the Reno region a designation in the fall of 2023 from the White House as one of 31 hubs across the country leading the way in tech innovation. Reno will be eligible for up to $75 million in grants over the next five years to further spur its growth in the industry.
Virginia Street gets packed with locals and visitors for the BBQ, Brews & Blues festival.
The University of Nevada, Reno is a cultural epicenter in West University and Reno at large.
Topgolf Swing Suite in Downtown Reno is a great place to grab a drink and hang with friends.
The crowd gets up close and personal with the horses at Reno's Cinco De Mayo Celebration.
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From betting to bountiful outdoor recreation
From the historic Harrah’s Reno to the sprawling Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, Reno’s 23-plus casinos offer something for anyone who wishes to try their luck from sunup to sundown. The famous Reno Arch is the gateway into Downtown Reno, home to these iconic casinos. At the heart of Downtown Reno is ROW Reno, a 24-hour action-packed stretch of three connected properties, Eldorado, Silver Legacy Resort & Casino and Circus Circus, which boast 25 restaurants, 23 bars and 11 nightspots combined. Beyond the lucky three, Reno’s Grand Sierra Resort and Casino racked up 38 wins in Casino Player magazine’s 2023 “Best of Gaming” awards, more than any property in the country. The luxury resort is home to the largest casino floor in northern Nevada, with 100,000 square feet of games.
While casinos, entertainment and indulgent buffets are still this town’s bread and butter, there’s more than bright lights and betting. Reno is ranked as the No. 13 best city for outdoor activities in the country by Niche. Surrounded by mountains, lakes, the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and only a short drive from Lake Tahoe, adventure-seekers and nature enthusiasts never get bored. Nearby Lake Tahoe offers alpine skiing, hiking, kayaking and snowboarding. It also has one of the largest concentrations of ski resorts in the country, with 15 top-rated ski areas. Truckee River is another hot spot where locals can be found rafting and tubing in the summers. The city is also home to 87 parks and recreation facilities.
Downtown Reno is the central gaming location with multiple casinos on South Virginia Street.
The main attraction at Reno River Festival is the rafting companies that sell trips to Downtown.
Somersett has one of the most pristine golf courses in the greater Reno area.
Evans Canyon is a premiere mountain biking destination in the hills of West University.
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A mecca for foodies and creatives
Just as the city dazzles with its neon-lit clubs and outdoor adventures, its cultural scene is just as vibrant. Downtown Reno is the center of it all, offering six lively districts with high-end eateries, vintage shops and galleries. From the Freight House District, where residents can catch a minor-league ballgame at Aces Ballpark or an outdoor concert, to the Neon Light District, captivating visitors with glowing gaming and entertainment options, to the Brewery District, which overflows with distilleries and locally owned craft breweries.
The trendy MidTown community is home to funky boutiques, vintage stores, upscale bistros, art galleries and cocktail bars. Not to mention Burning Man costume emporiums. Over 120 murals adorn buildings in the district and the entire downtown landscape, along with sculptures and installations from the iconic Burning Man festival. These works of art make up Reno’s Playa Art Trail, which takes residents on a colorful trip through Midtown, Downtown and the Reno's Riverwalk area. The city’s Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts has been an anchor in Reno’s art scene since 1968. The golden geodesic dome-shaped venue hosts traveling Broadway shows and concerts and is the home venue of Artown, a local non-profit fueling the local art scene with workshops and a month-long summer arts festival featuring over 500 events and attracting approximately 300,000 people. Reno is also home to the biggest museum in the state, the Nevada Museum of Art, which focuses on nature and photography.
Downtown’s popular Reno Riverwalk District boasts over 45 options for dining and shopping. It sits on the banks of the Truckee River and is home to the popular Truckee River Whitewater Park. Reno’s diverse culinary landscape is yet another ace in the hole. Home to celebrity chefs, Michelin-rated restaurants, 24/7 nightlife and a sizzling food truck scene it offers something for every palate. The city hosts Reno Street Food every Friday from May to October in Hunter Lake , celebrating street food culture with over 20 of the area’s best food trucks.
Dancing in the Streets is the ultimate community gathering in MidTown, led by DJ's on art cars.
The Wild River Grille has an acclaimed patio for high-end dining in Downtown Reno.
Local performance artists take center stage at the Reno Night Market.
The Shore is a highly rated restaurant located directly on the Truckee River in the Riverwalk.
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Luxury southwest living
Reno is ranked No. 1 by The Economic Development Association of Western Nevada for the “Top 50 Small Cities to Live in the United States.” The median price for a home in Reno in December 2023 was $528,000, up 6.7% from December 2022. Homes sell after 53 days on the market on average, and the cost of living in Reno is 21% higher than the national average. While the cost of living is higher, residents do not pay state income or inheritance taxes. Home values have also increased 16% since 2021, and values continue to trend upward due to the expansion of technology-based businesses in the area. With architectural styles and neighborhoods as diverse and vivid as city life, residents have no shortage of options to choose from when settling down.
Townhouses and condos can be found in the Double Diamond neighborhood, a gated, master-planned community. Caughlin Ranch is in the northwestern part of the city and is surrounded by ponds, lakes and parks, boasting a serene experience with luxury homes starting at around $650,000. Arrowcreek is a prestigious, guard-gated golf community offering a high-end living experience while being close to Interstate 580. Properties start around $800,000 and go for up to $4 million. Outdoor enthusiasts love Galena Forest Estates, as it boasts proximity to Lake Tahoe and gorgeous views in the Montreux area of the city. The secluded neighborhood is blanketed by the Galena Forest and bordered by the Toiyabe National Forest. Homes here range from $785,000 to $1.2 million.
The Economic Development Association also ranked Reno as one of the top cities for young professionals, and the city’s Riverwalk District, Midtown and Downtown neighborhoods are popular with this demographic. For those who seek a more luxurious, remote lifestyle, Virginia Foothills offers plenty of open space and room to roam. Featuring sprawling southwest-style homes, Mediterranean-inspired estates and large log cabins immersed in nature, homes there cost up to $15 million.
Summit Sierra has magnificent Mediterranean style estates with sweeping panoramic views.
MidTown has an abundance of Mediterranean style mansions off California Ave.
This row of homes is a new signature development in West Plumb-Cashill Boulevard.
Somersett has fully customized homes amid track designs, all of which must abide by HOA rules.
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Fifth-best school district in Nevada
Washoe County School District provides public education for the city, with 104 schools catering to over 65,000 students. Earning a B-plus on Niche, the district is ranked the No. 5 best school district in Nevada. Reno also has 10 public charter schools, as well as several private school options. From there, students can attend the University of Nevada, Reno. The university is known for its research and innovation, with dozens of state-of-the-art labs and over 60 research facilities. It’s also known for its environmental science, mining engineering and journalism programs. The university was named one of the top 200 colleges in the country in the most recent U.S. News & World Report National Universities category index. Truckee Meadows Community College is another local option that caters to over 13,000 students.
Riding around Reno
Interstate 80, U.S. Route 395 and Interstate 580 provide convenient access in and around the city. Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County offers bus services throughout the region, and Reno offers several shuttles to get people around. Lake Tahoe is 35 miles from the city center via I-580, Reno-Stead Airport is a 13-mile drive up Route 395 and Carson City, the capital of Nevada, is only 30 miles from Reno via I-580. Public transit is abundant in Downtown Reno, but those who choose to live in the suburbs or farther on the outskirts of the city will need a car.
Investing in a Safer Community
According to statistics from the Reno Police Department, the city had a 1% increase in violent crimes in 2022. However, property crimes were down 11%. According to FBI data, Reno has significantly higher property and violent crime rates compared to national figures. The Reno Police Department received a $201,762 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to use for law enforcement training, equipment and supplies.
Looking to the future
Despite the city overflowing with recreational opportunities, Reno is adding to that with a park master plan. Part of the plan includes the recently-opened Moana Springs Community Aquatics and Fitness Center. The 52,000 square-foot facility with a 50-meter indoor pool, a large fitness room, an outdoor soaking pool and athletic fields.
Reno has focused on sustainability and initiatives to reduce climate pollution since 2015, forming “Reno Resilience,” a program that focuses on small- and large-scale initiatives. Its latest Sustainability & Climate Action Plan implements a nine-step outline of the city’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 28% by 2025. The city has also put together the Truckee River Vision Plan in collaboration with Washoe County to gather feedback from the community to maintain and transform the river into a top outdoor recreation spot and tourism driver for Reno.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
