Picturesque Henderson, Nevada, offers the best of both worlds: It’s close enough (16 miles) to round-the-clock entertainment in Las Vegas but far enough away to catch your breath and unwind. Founded in 1941 in the Mojave Desert surrounded by mountains, it covers 106.9 square miles. Its median age is 43 (2022). The city serves as the state’s chief industrial center, producing titanium and heavy chemicals for commercial and defense needs.

While it sits directly north of Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Nevada, is a separate city within the Mojave Desert. Featuring 102.4 square miles of valleys, panoramic vistas, and dynamic development, it was founded in 1919. Its median age is 33.1 (2022), and its economy is driven by custom manufacturing facilities, and high-tech businesses, including solar and green technology.

Sitting in the High Eastern Sierra foothills of northwest Nevada is Reno. The city, which has a total area of 111.7 square miles, is also referred to as the “Biggest Little City in the World,” since it offers numerous amenities for a place of its size. Founded in 1868, its median age today is 36.1 (2022). Gaming and hospitality are the main drivers of its economy.