Best Cities for Families in Nevada
What Families Should Know About Nevada
Nevada ranks #46 out of 50 for families, placing it in the bottom tier of states. That doesn't mean families can't thrive here β the state scores well in affordability (62/100) β but Nevada's overall profile suggests families should weigh the tradeoffs carefully, particularly around education and economy.
Education is the single most important factor for families choosing where to live, and Nevada faces challenges on this front. The state's high school graduation rate stands at 82%, trailing the national average. Families relocating here should research individual school districts carefully, as statewide metrics (education score: 8/100) mask significant local variation. Childcare runs $10,040 annually for infants β a meaningful expense but in line with national norms.
Safety is the other pillar of family-friendly living. Nevada faces elevated crime rates that families should factor into neighborhood selection at 431 incidents per 100,000 residents. With a cost-of-living index of 97, household expenses are close to the national norm β neither a major advantage nor a dealbreaker.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Families
| # | City | Grade | Families Score | Overall | Education | Safety | Affordability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mesquite | B | 57.9 | 54.9 | 39 | 86 | 63 | 21,314 |
| 2 | Henderson | B | 55.0 | 54.7 | 32 | 73 | 61 | 337,280 |
| 3 | Sparks | C+ | 52.4 | 52.2 | 39 | 66 | 56 | 110,301 |
| 4 | Dayton | C+ | 51.5 | 51.5 | 45 | 49 | 68 | 15,873 |
| 5 | Reno | C+ | 51.4 | 51.9 | 37 | 50 | 63 | 274,937 |
| 6 | Fernley | C+ | 50.1 | 50.4 | 43 | 49 | 61 | 23,631 |
| 7 | Elko | C | 49.8 | 47.0 | 38 | 61 | 65 | 20,624 |
| 8 | North Las Vegas | C | 48.5 | 47.9 | 25 | 61 | 65 | 284,772 |
| 9 | Las Vegas | C | 48.3 | 47.2 | 34 | 49 | 66 | 660,942 |
| 10 | Pahrump | D | 45.1 | 42.3 | 35 | 49 | 65 | 45,811 |
| 11 | Spanish Springs | C+ | 43.5 | 50.2 | 8 | 49 | 50 | 17,512 |
| 12 | Enterprise | C | 43.3 | 46.9 | 8 | 49 | 55 | 243,802 |
| 13 | Summerlin South | C+ | 43.2 | 49.7 | 8 | 49 | 44 | 30,075 |
| 14 | Carson | D | 43.2 | 44.6 | 8 | 49 | 68 | 58,364 |
| 15 | Paradise | D | 42.9 | 42.5 | 8 | 49 | 68 | 177,413 |
| 16 | Spring Valley | D | 42.4 | 44.1 | 8 | 49 | 57 | 198,326 |
| 17 | Sun Valley | D | 41.8 | 42.6 | 8 | 49 | 64 | 22,697 |
| 18 | Winchester | D | 41.7 | 39.0 | 8 | 49 | 72 | 37,774 |
| 19 | Whitney | D | 41.0 | 41.1 | 8 | 49 | 62 | 46,268 |
| 20 | Sunrise Manor | F | 39.9 | 38.4 | 8 | 49 | 64 | 213,644 |