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Reno, NV

Frequently asked questions

Reno, NV

Reno is a city in the northwest section of the U.S. state of Nevada, along the Nevada–California border, about 22 miles (35 km) north of Lake Tahoe, known as "The Biggest Little City in the World". It is the county seat and most populous city of Washoe County sitting in the High Eastern Sierra foothills, in the Truckee River valley, on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada. The Reno metro area (along with the neighboring city Sparks) occupies a valley colloquially known as the Truckee Meadows, it is the 81st most populous city in the United States, the 3rd most populous city in Nevada, and the most populous in Nevada outside the Las Vegas Valley.

The city is named after Civil War Union Major General Jesse L. Reno, who was killed in action during the American Civil War at the Battle of South Mountain, on Fox's Gap. Reno is part of the Reno-Sparks metropolitan area, the second-most populous metropolitan area in Nevada after the Las Vegas Valley. Known as Greater Reno, it includes Washoe, Storey, and Lyon Counties, the independent city and state capital, Carson City, as well as parts of Placer and Nevada Counties in California. The city proper had a population of 264,165 at the 2020 census, making it the third-largest city in Nevada, behind Las Vegas and Henderson.

For much of the twentieth century, Reno saw a significant number of migrants seeking to take advantage of Nevada's relatively lax divorce laws and the city gained a national reputation as a divorce mill. Today Reno is a tourist destination known for its casino gambling and proximity to Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

In 1871, Reno became the county seat of the newly expanded Washoe County, replacing the county seat in Washoe City. However, political power in Nevada remained with the mining communities, first Virginia City and later Tonopah and Goldfield.

In the early twentieth century, Nevada became a popular destination for migratory divorce in an era when most states had highly restrictive laws on the subject. Legislation passed in 1931 completed the gradual reduction of residency requirement from six months to six weeks, and Reno openly advertised itself as the "Divorce Capital of the World."

Reno leaped forward when the state of Nevada legalized open gambling on March 19, 1931, at the same time as it liberalized its divorce laws. The statewide push for legal Nevada gaming was led by Reno entrepreneur Bill Graham, who owned the Bank Club Casino in Reno, which was on Center Street. No other state offered legalized casino gaming like Nevada had in the 1930s, and casinos such as the Bank Club and Palace were popular. A few states had legal parimutuel horse racing, but no other state had legal casino gambling.

Reno is just east of the Sierra Nevada, on the western edge of the Great Basin at an elevation of about 4,400 feet (1,300 m) above sea level. Numerous faults exist throughout the region. Most of these are normal (vertical motion) faults associated with the uplift of the various mountain ranges, including the Sierra Nevada.

In February 2008, an earthquake swarm began to occur, lasting for several months, with the largest quake registering at 4.9 on the Richter magnitude scale, although some geologic estimates put it at 5.0. The earthquakes were centered on the Somersett community in western Reno near Mogul and Verdi. Many homes in these areas were damaged.

The unique high desert geological features cause many to "describe Nevada as a rockhound's paradise .... access to millions of acres of government land" allows geologists, miners, and amateur rockhounds in Nevada "to hunt to your heart's content .... being able to find agate, opal, jasper, fossils, fluorescent minerals, obsidian, chalcedony, wonderstone, malachite, petrified wood, limb casts, and much more means paradise."

In the realm of health and wellness, Reno offers a range of amenities to promote a healthy lifestyle. The city is home to the Renown Regional Medical Center and Northern Nevada Medical Center offers comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs. Swet Fitness offers comprehensive fitness programs including cardio, strength training, and group exercise classes. The Truckee River Whitewater Park offers a unique combination of water sports and natural beauty. Fitness enthusiasts can head to the South Reno Athletic Club for a comprehensive workout. Yoga Pod Reno provides a serene space for yoga and mindfulness practices. The Swift Sportsdome offers various sports activities, including soccer and flag football.

Top sites in Reno, NV are National Automobile Museum, Nevada Museum of Art, Rancho San Rafael Regional Park, and The Discovery. 

Population: 274,915 (2023). ZIP codes: 89501-89513, 89515, 89519-89521, 89523, 89533, 89555, 89557, 89570, 89595, 89599. Area code: 775.  Elevation: 4,505 ft (1,373 m). Area: 111.70 sq mi (289.30 km2).

FAQs

Is Reno, NV cheaper than Las Vegas?

The cost of living in Reno, NV is 4.9% higher than in Las Vegas, NV. You would have to earn a salary of $62,920 to maintain your current standard of living. Employers in Reno, NV typically pay -0.5% less than employers in Las Vegas, NV. The same type of job in the same type of company in Reno, NV will typically pay $59,703.

What's so special about Reno, NV?

Reno and the surrounding area provide unlimited indoor and outdoor recreational activities. Reno has excellent weather. Spectacular Lake Tahoe and the largest concentration of ski facilities in the world are all within a fifty-mile radius. Biking, camping, hunting, fishing, and mountain climbing are all activities Reno residents and visitors enjoy.

Is Reno, NV expensive to live in?

Reno, Nevada's cost of living is 5% higher than the national average. The cost of living in any area can vary based on factors such as your career, average salary, and the real estate market of that area. Reno's housing expenses are 21% higher than the national average and the utility prices are 12% lower than the national average. Transportation expenses like bus fares and gas prices are 17% higher than the national average.

Sources

City of Reno

Wikipedia

Salary

Payscale

National Automobile Museum

Nevada Museum of Art

Rancho San Rafael Regional Park

The Discovery

Renown Regional Medical Center

Northern Nevada Medical Center

Swet Fitness

Truckee River Whitewater Par

South Reno Athletic Club

Yoga Pod Reno

Swift Sportsdome

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