10 Safest Cities in Nevada (with Pictures)

Note: This article’s statistics come from third-party sources and do not represent the opinions of this website.

Nevada has ranked as one of the more dangerous cities in the United States for some time. However, the state’s overall crime rate is falling. Still, the state’s crime rate for 2019 was 49 per 10,000. On the other hand, the national average was 36 per 10,000 people¹. Therefore, Nevada’s overall crime rate is much higher.

With that said, there are some safer places in Nevada that you may be interested in. Many of these will likely surprise you.

The 10 Safest Cities in Nevada: A Quick Look

All the following data is taken from the FBI’s crime report.

1. Boulder City, NV

Out of all the cities in Nevada, Boulder City is easily named as the safest. While this city is much smaller than most, it also happens to be one of the few cities in the state that does not allow gambling (which may be why it is so much safer).

With that said, Boulder City does have increasingly high home prices, which means that it may be prohibitively expensive for many people to live here. The cost of living is quite high, which may also explain why it is so much safer. (Niche)

Compared to both the national and state violent crime rates, Boulder City is much lower. Their property crime rate is pretty low as well, so many residents don’t have to worry about theft or similar crimes.

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2. Mesquite, NV

While Mesquite is number two on our list, it is significantly less safe than Boulder City. The city is best known for its golf courses and resorts, but those high-end venues don’t keep the crime rate very low. Plus, the home value is much higher than most, making this an obviously high-end community.

With that said, the median household income is only $55,542, which means that the cost of living here is much higher than in other places around the country. It may be one of the cheaper locations in Nevada, but you are going to pay for it.

This town does allow gambling like most of Nevada. There isn’t much to do here besides that, though. Many residents complain about the lack of things for children to do, for instance.

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3. Henderson, NV

Henderson is one of the larger cities in Nevada. However, it surprisingly has a much lower violent crime rate than most places, making it one of the safest places to live.

This community is considered a suburb of Las Vegas, which is where most residents go to work and get their entertainment. If you’re interested in living near Las Vegas but not in it, then this may be one of the communities you need to look at. Henderson is advertised as close enough to Las Vegas to enjoy it but much safer and homier.

This area is quite dense and has a high population, but it isn’t exactly an urban area. Some crime does spillover from Las Vegas, which is likely why this community isn’t at the top of the list.

The homes here are quite expensive on average, though. Therefore, this community is likely only open to those with higher incomes. The cost of living is quite high compared to other places.

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4. Winnemucca, NV

Compared to the communities we’ve discussed thus far, Winnemucca is quite a bit more dangerous. However, it is very close to the national average in terms of the violent crime rate, so it is a bit safer than most places out there.

This town is extremely small compared to others in the states. It is very similar to other small towns. Most residents know their neighbors, and the community is quite tight-knit. Sadly, jobs tend to be hard to come by, though there is a solid mining industry there.

Winnemucca is best known for being a scenic spot in Nevada. It is great for retirees if you’re looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the bigger cities.

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5. Elko, NV

Elko is a fast-growing town that is currently quite small. However, the population has been jumping over the last few years, so we expect it to get bigger very quickly. The main drives of the population seem to be the high number of well-paying jobs coupled with inexpensive housing. The low cost of living and plentiful jobs help bring many people to the area.

This town also allows gambling, which helps the population too.

The violent crime rate and property crime rate are about average for the nation. However, because Nevada is more dangerous than most areas out there, this town is considered safe for the state.

Most people here work for the gold mines, which actually pays quite well. Generally, this town is perfect for those who are family-oriented.

The main problem is that there aren’t many medical facilities. If you get hurt or seriously sick, most people must go elsewhere. (Niche)

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6. Carlin, NV

Carlin is an extremely small town in Nevada. Its small population is likely why it is also one of the safest towns in this state. When you have such a low population, your overall crime rate tends to be quite low as well.

With that said, the violent crime rate is a bit higher than we would have originally expected. For this reason, it is only number six on this list. The property crime rate is extremely low, though.

Despite being so small., this town has a strikingly high average income. Employment potential seems to be quite good in the area, which does help keep crime rates low.

For those that want a more rural lifestyle, this community may be a great option. Because it is smaller, though, there really isn’t much to do here. For those looking for more nightlife, you’ll need to look elsewhere.

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7. West Wendover, NV

West Wendover is located right on the border between Nevada and Utah. However, it is barely on Nevada’s side of the border. Like many cities on this list, it is also located in Elko County.

This town is rather small, which is largely why its crime rate is so low. As you’d imagine, a lower population usually equals a lower crime rate as well.

This town is very much a small town. Everyone is very neighborly, and it has a very cozy feel. However, that also means that there isn’t much to do here. Gambling is legal, and there are a few casinos. However, that’s about it.

There are no large attractions besides the casinos, which do draw people from Utah.

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8. North Las Vegas, NV

North Las Vegas should not be confused with the “regular” Las Vegas. While they are named similar, they are two different entities with completely different crime rates. Las Vegas has one of the lowest crime rates in the U.S. Its property crime rate is extremely low, though vehicle thefts specifically are quite high.

The housing in this area is quite inexpensive, and the cost of living tends to be quite low. Therefore, this area seems to be an affordable place to live in most cases. However, the schools do rank rather low, so the area doesn’t have the best education system.

Because this area is so close to Las Vegas and quite large, there is a lot to do here. Casinos are legal, of course, and there are plenty of restaurants. Despite all of this, the crime rate is still quite low compared to other areas in the state.

Despite the higher-than-average crime rates, many residents still complain about the safety levels of this area.

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9. Sparks, NV

Sparks is a small city that is often considered a great city for families. It is quite close to Reno, which allows residents to commute there for work and fun. The area is much more peaceful than Reno and has a lower crime rate. However, you are still close enough to take advantage of the larger city.

While it is technically a suburb, this town still has plenty of restaurants and places to go shopping. Residents typically don’t complain about a lack of things to do here.

The violent crime rate in this area is much lower than it typically is. Therefore, it is one of the safer communities to live in. However, it isn’t nearly as low as some of the other cities we’ve mentioned on this list.

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10. Las Vegas, NV

You probably didn’t expect to find Las Vegas on this list—given that it is Sin City. However, this city has a surprisingly low violent crime rate when compared to the rest of the rate. However, the rate is above the national average, so this city is more dangerous than most.

Of course, this city is most well-known for its nightlife. It is also extremely populous, even when compared to other cities. There are simply a lot of people here, so you can expect plenty of different entertainment opportunities.

Because this area is so populous and tourist-oriented, there are actually a lot of job opportunities.

How to Stay Safe in Nevada

Staying safe in Nevada is a lot like staying safe in other areas. You will want to avoid high-crime areas, which can exist in even the safest cities. Be sure you do your research before you purchase a house anywhere, as you preferably want a home in a safer area (even if it does cost you a bit more).

Always be mindful of your surroundings whenever you’re out and about anywhere. You don’t want to flash money or expensive items. In some areas, you may also want to place your phone and other belongings in a safer location than just in your pocket.

You should also gamble discreetly. You don’t want to flash your winnings or anything of that sort, as it can lead to more theft.

Generally, most violent crime is drug-related or gambling-related in these areas. Therefore, you should be extremely cautious about getting involved with either activity.

Nevada does have a higher crime rate than most areas. Therefore, you’ll want to be extra-cautious about staying safe in the state—even if you are in an area that is on this list. Remember to use common sense. If it seems like a bad idea, then it probably is.

Conclusion

Nevada is one of the more dangerous states in the union. Compared to the national average, the state experiences more violent and property crimes. However, there are some safer places in Nevada where you may consider living. While these cities are lower than the state average, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they are as safe as some towns in other states.

There are quite a few crimes that are particularly bad in Nevada. For instance, package theft is reported very regularly. Many people also worry about their overall safety regularly, which is a serious concern. Gun violence is also a serious concern and higher than the national average.

In the end, you probably aren’t going to be as safe in Nevada as you are in other areas. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you should avoid Nevada completely. There are some safer places, you just have to know what you’re looking for.

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Featured Image Credit: Sean Pavone, Shutterstock