The recent data on relocation trends shows a notable increase in the number of Californians moving to Nevada in 2024, with 38,970 individuals making the move, compared to 36,507 in 2023. This marks a shift back toward pre-pandemic trends, as the numbers had previously peaked during the pandemic in 2021 with 47,376 movers. The pandemic initially accelerated the trend of people leaving more expensive metros like Los Angeles for more affordable areas such as Las Vegas. However, the trend reversed temporarily post-pandemic before resuming its previous pattern.
The affordability of housing plays a significant role in this migration. The average home price in Los Angeles is significantly higher at $1.06 million compared to $440,000 in the Las Vegas Valley. Reports indicate that Los Angeles remains the top source of movers to Nevada, driven by the cost difference.
A recent report by Storage Cafe, utilizing U.S. Census Bureau data, highlights that the appeal of Nevada is not limited to high-income earners. Many newcomers report incomes below the California average, with millennials making up the largest share of movers. The report notes that millennials moving to Nevada earn about $6,000 less than their national peers, with an average income of $53,000 compared to the national average of $59,000.
The most popular route for movers is from Los Angeles County to Clark County, followed by routes from Orange County and San Bernardino County to Clark County. There is also a significant migration of remote workers from Santa Clara County to Washoe County and from Contra Costa County to Clark County.
Clark County’s population growth continues as it added 57,566 residents in 2016, a peak year that has not been surpassed. According to projections from UNLV’s Center for Business and Economic Research, Clark County is expected to reach a population of 3 million by 2042, continuing to grow steadily at over 1 percent per year until 2039.