16 Southern Nevada Cities

The Map of Southern Nevada

In the above Nevada state map with cities, the drive from Laughlin to Mesquite is 2.5 hours. Mesquite is at the Nevada and Utah-Arizona border and Laughlin is at the southernmost tip of Nevada. To the west of  Southern Nevada is California and to the east is Arizona.

The below Google Image map of Southern Nevada shows an aerial that keeps locations in perspective. There are quite a few small towns in Nevada near Las Vegas that will grow as people continue to relocate to Southern Nevada.

Many of our featured cities in Southern Nevada have all of the amenities you want when living in any Nevada city. California and Nevada share borders along the entire west side of Nevada.

Cities in Nevada near Arizona have a cool, refreshing body of water for recreational adventures. You’ll love the feel of small towns in Southern Nevada with wide-open spaces and an old-west attitude.

Search for homes for sale in Clark County using our interactive Las Vegas Zip Code Map. We sell homes in all of Southern Nevada so if you’d like to look at a property, let us know.

Areas of the Las Vegas Valley

Las Vegas, Henderson, and North Las Vegas are the cities in Las Vegas. Unincorporated Clark County is the 4th entity of the valley – referred to as Las Vegas. The Las Vegas Valley offers so much more than games and entertainment, and it has an exciting future. The weather is sunny, and traffic is minimal.

Within each of our 3 cities, every area has homes for sale that include single-family and multi-family housing. Every community has nearby commercial developments, medical facilities, and city support facilities. People who relocate to Las Vegas usually choose to live in a 55+ retirement community, near work,  family, or friends.

The best part of living in a newer city is the planning of traffic flow and the newness of everything. Utilities, cable, and internet services have been installed underground for over 30 years, making areas more attractive. Houses are energy efficient, and the decorative landscaping looks good.

Las Vegas and Henderson have no more large parcels of vacant land left for developers to purchase. This makes North Las Vegas the growth epicenter of the future.

Since 1/2 of North Las Vegas’ land is still undeveloped, the big builders have started the land grab… Link to: Las Vegas, Henderson, and North Las Vegas.

The Suburbs of Las Vegas

The suburbs of Las Vegas homes cover 600 square miles. As with all cities, the oldest houses are going to be in Downtown. Las Vegas is over 100 years old. However, the “boom” started in the late 1980s and 1990s.

Since 1988 when the Excalibur hotel opened on the Las Vegas Strip, the population has tripled. This means that the suburbs of Las Vegas have done the urban sprawl. The average age of homes for sale in the valley is around 25 years old.

The growth of Las Vegas suburbs has been in a circular pattern. As the circle spread out, all housing styles, city amenities, and commercial expanded to all areas of the city. Finally, the suburbs of Las Vegas have hit the mountains. This means that view homes for sale now have unobstructed city and mountain views.

In my opinion, the best suburbs of Las Vegas to live in will be near wherever you want to live. There are great homes in the suburbs in every part of the city around Las Vegas. If you are not sure which area of town you want, ask for our 3-hour tour of the valley. We make a circle of the city showing you the amenities and home prices in each area.

Closest Cities To Las Vegas

Cities surrounding Las Vegas include some rural small towns. Near Las Vegas, you’ll find towns with a population of 200 to 1000 full-time residents in Mt. Charleston.

Mt. Charleston – is 20-30 minutes up the mountain from Las Vegas. Mt. Charleston’s 7700 ft. elevation. With breathtaking pine tree-covered mountains, the winter’s snow is complimented with NICE summers. The area has a great rustic feel and an abundance of opportunities for a variety of recreational activities. Link to Mt. Charleston.

Boulder City – is 10 minutes southeast of Henderson, alongside Lake Mead. The weather is warmer than in Las Vegas, and the air is cleaner. There is no gambling in Boulder City, but creative marketing has turned downtown is a tourist attraction.

With a building moratorium, Boulder City offers a lot and has remained small. 2018 was the first time that I’ve seen Boulder City allow a new home community to be developed. The new construction home builder now has an annual permit allowing them to build 30 residences. Read about it on our Boulder City page.

Nye County – The Renegade County

Pahrump – The population of Pahrump in 2020 was 37,298. The above Southern Nevada map with cities near Las Vegas includes Pahrump to the east, which is in Nye County. Pahrump keeps on growing and real estate is less expensive than the Las Vegas Valley. Driving the 45-60 minute scenic drive to Las Vegas isn’t bad, even when you commute.

There are many farms and ranches in Pahrump and no zoning laws in Nye County. People living in Pahrump get to live life on their own terms. Cities in Nevada like Pahrump still have a bit of the old west renegade attitude.

The best thing about Pahrump, Nevada homes for sale is that Pahrump now has a hospital and a college. Growth and opportunities abound. Wide-open spaces that plenty of undeveloped BLM land offers add to the country feel, and the weather is cooler than Vegas. Link to our Pahrump page.

Heading South – Keep Your Eyes On Sloan

Sloan – About 7 minutes south of Las Vegas and Henderson along I-15 is Sloan. There is currently no infrastructure to support a city – YET. BLM (Bureau of Land Management) isn’t auctioning off the miles and miles of beautiful desert in Sloan. Since it’s on the road to California we expect homes for sale in Sloan, Nevada will be “Coming Soon…”

Las Vegas City Planning shows Sloan as a 10-year planned growth area. Personally,  I believe it will be much sooner. With rolling hills and convenient access to Las Vegas and Henderson, I want to buy some vacant land! Link to our Sloan, Nevada page.

Jean – Definitely a small Southern Nevada town near Las Vegas. At the moment, it looks like everything commercial in Jean is owned by the Terrible’s Corporation. But there is a small town with a post office and courthouse.

Located about 20 minutes south of Las Vegas on I-15, Jean is halfway between Las Vegas and Primm. Because Jean is on the road to California, watch for future growth opportunities coming to Jean. See more about Jean, Nevada.

Sandy Valley and Goodsprings – Old mining towns between Las Vegas and California along I-15. I wouldn’t call them ghost towns, but some of the houses have a lot of character. These small towns in Southern Nevada have potential because of great weather and proximity to the Las Vegas Valley. Temperatures are milder in both summer and winter than in the Las Vegas Valley. Check out homes for sale in Sandy Valley and Goodsprings, Nevada.

Retirement In Nevada

Mesquite – Between The Las Vegas Motor Speedway in North Las Vegas and the Nevada, Arizona, and Utah state lines, is Mesquite. An hour north along I-15, Mesquite has some great golf courses and neighborhoods. Beautiful plateaus and mesas surround the valley that includes the Virgin River.

Known as a great weekend getaway for Las Vegas residents, Mesquite has great hotels and restaurants. Tourists mean employment. Mesquite offers Southern Nevada small-town living while still being close to Utah and large southern Nevada cities.

The commercial hub to the Moapa Valley, Mesquite is home to Wal-Mart and a new car dealership. Take a look at Mesquite homes for sale. Del Webb Mesquite is a gem in the desert.

Indian Springs – Indian Springs isn’t known for being a retirement destination yet, but land is not expensive. Located north along Highway 95 between Las Vegas and Tonopah, Indian Springs has some large employers.

Creech Air Force Base, the Nevada Test Site, High Desert State Prison, and Yucca Mountain are all nearby. In 2020, Beazer Homes Las Vegas started building brand new construction homes there. Indian Springs has great investment and expansion possibilities. Investigate Indian Springs.

The Northern Arm of Lake Mead

Overton / Logandale / Moapa Valley – are the largest of 6 smaller towns in the region. They are located just north of where the Virgin River flows into Lake Mead. Since these towns are located near Lake Mead, the area was a mecca for various great water sport recreation. The drought has since closed the marina and many businesses.

The Valley of Fire, ruins of underwater towns re-surfacing in the lake, and the  Clark County Fairgrounds attract tourists. All in all, it’s still small-town living, and tourists don’t detract from this small community. It sure is lovely out there! Link to Overton / Logandale / Moapa Valley pages.

Nevada Cities Along The Colorado River

Laughlin – is home to many people who want to experience that old-time Vegas casino atmosphere. It has become a traveler’s short detour off I-40, a vacation getaway destination, and an entertainment getaway.

Often catered to by Northern Arizona and Las Vegas residents, riverfront second homes are popular. Laughlin, a Colorado River gambling town, is the major employer for the area.

Just across the river, Bullhead City has the main retail stores and medical for the area. If you want the tax benefits that Nevada offers, Laughlin is a great place to call home. Water sports, lovely neighborhoods, and spectacular river views also make this city a popular retirement destination. Explore Laughlin homes for sale.

Searchlight – is a mining town with active mines. Housing is made up of an eclectic collection of new and old houses mixed with modular homes. Searchlight is a small town in Nevada with a good location.

Besides being home to many mines, Searchlight is halfway between Henderson and Laughlin. It also is adjacent to the Lake Mead Recreation Area at Lake Mojave. Search Searchlight.

Housing in Southern Nevada Cities

See the below Google Earth map of Southern Nevada. Most of the cities near Las Vegas are actually very small towns in Nevada. Pahrump, Mt. Charleston, Boulder City, and Laughlin are the largest cities around Las Vegas NV.

Even though these are small towns, many Southern Nevada cities also offer gated and guard-gated communities. Waterfront homes are possible. Compounds, mansions, and estates with airplane runways are other options.

Luxury homes are available on horse property (large lots) and in golf course communities. There are many ranches in Clark County. Mt. Charleston has some breath-taking view homes too. Another popular option is high-rise condominiums.

You’ll find vacant land and resale homes for sale in Las Vegas, Henderson, and North Las Vegas. Brand new homes are built by national builders in over 160 communities in the Las Vegas Valley. Some small towns near Las Vegas also have new construction homes for sale.

Nevada Rural Small Towns Near Las Vegas

Rural small towns near Las Vegas offer great weather and Nevada’s great tax benefits. In rural Southern Nevada small towns, you get all the benefits of living close to a large city and small-town living.

New construction houses are built in the smaller Southern Nevada cities by custom home builders. These smaller established builders offer houses for sale built on your vacant land. Consider purchasing vacant land and we introduce you to smaller custom home builders to interview.

Master-planned communities like Summerlin and most of Henderson are where most new homes are built. Resale Southern Nevada homes for sale average age is under 30 years old.

North Las Vegas sold the most homes in 2019 because of affordability and JOBS. If you need information about all the areas of town in Las Vegas, see our Las Vegas Cities page.

What City In Nevada Has The Best Weather?

If I had to choose my idea of the best weather in towns or cities near Las Vegas, I’d choose Sandy Valley. Sandy Valley has no snow and cooler summers.

The best weather in the Las Vegas surrounding areas is Summerlin. I choose the west side of Las Vegas, Summerlin, because the sun goes down first there giving it less direct evening heat. Also, Mt. Charleston’s cool breeze hit Summerlin during the summer.

The Best Weather in Nevada is a subjective question. Northern Nevada is cooler in the summer and winter. Southern Nevada has less rain and occasional snow flurries. What do you want? Let’s talk weather anytime!

Rural Vacant Land

You also may want to consider the option of buying land for a modular home. In most Southern Nevada cities, you’ll be able to purchase an existing lot with a modular home. There would probably be a well and septic system already there instead of public utilities.

Feel free to explore homes on each city’s page link. Send us a message or call to ask any questions about what city sounds interesting to you.

Vacant land searches and information about Clark County are available on our homes for sale searches. If you have trouble finding that option, text or call us. We’re happy to do a search for you.

We sell Southern Nevada houses and land in all of these cities and areas. Take a look at our info pages and explore the home searches. If something jumps out at you, call us, and let’s go see it. Direct office: 702-750-7599 

Exploring Nevada

When investigating the best cities in Nevada to live in, consider the weather. Northern Nevada major cities have wetter, longer, and colder winters. Southern Nevada summers are dryer, longer, and warmer.

Some smaller towns and cities close to Las Vegas have milder summer days with cooler evenings. Three of the 4 largest cities in Nevada are in Southern Nevada. The Las Vegas Valley is surrounded by state and nationally protected land.

An interesting fact – there are more ghost towns in Nevada than cities or towns occupied by the living. Nevada is home to more than 600 ghost towns. There are several ghost towns near Mesquite and Tonopah. There is even one just 44 miles south of Las Vegas. Nevada is fun to explore.

Surrounding Las Vegas Cities, there are State and National recreational and protected lands. These places are easy to get to and make great day trips. Nevada is about living an active lifestyle and having a good time. Are you ready to open some doors?

What Are The Largest Cities In Nevada?

The 2020 Census population numbers for Nevada’s largest cities are listed below. Population numbers are actually taken in 2019 but published in 2020. The problem with Las Vegas census numbers is that they are separated by voting districts and not by area or city.

In Southern Nevada, Las Vegas is the name for The City of Las Vegas population numbers. Unincorporated Clark County is not reflected in the below population numbers. Las Vegas Unincorporated Clark County is over 1/3 of the Las Vegas Valley at about 1 million people. In 2020, North Las Vegas passed Reno’s population making North Las Vegas the 3rd largest city in Nevada.

Southern Nevada Population of Cities Near Las Vegas 2020 Census:

City of Las Vegas – 667,501

City of Henderson – 341,531

Reno – 266,511

City of North Las Vegas – 265,224

Sparks – 107,060

Carson City – 57,344

There are almost 2.5 million people in Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, and unincorporated Clark County.

Historic Nevada Cities

When you consult any map of Nevada cities, note the numerous State of Nevada Historic Sites. There are many Northern and Southern Nevada cities from the 1800’s mining boom in Nevada that are historic sites. Other areas are known for an eclectic number of features.

Boulder City has the Nevada State Railroad Museum – Boulder City. There are historic train cars and many exhibits to explore. There are hiking trails and train rides for under $10 per person. North Las Vegas has a fossil park where you need to hike.

North of Las Vegas and east of Moapa Valley is Area 51. Known for its secrecy surrounding aliens and their spaceships, Area 51 is popular, but you can not go in. The Little A’Le Inn in Alamo, NV, is where many Area 51 events are held, and of course, there is a museum and a couple of art galleries.

In east-central Nevada along the Utah border, you’ll find many outdoor adventures, such as visiting Great Basin National Park. Great Basin is known for its Bristlecone Pine trees and quartz rock mountains.

Lehman Caves, Stokes Castle, and the Highland Wilderness Ridge are the most popular destinations. Near Ely, Nevada is the best Railway Museum that I’ve ever been to, the Northern Railway Museum. Ely is the largest active mining city in Northern Nevada.

Gold Mines In Nevada

Going north out of Las Vegas on US-95, you pass Indian Springs, Beatty, and then Goldfield and Tonopah. Goldfield is a historic Nevada mining city that was as large as Virginia City in the 1800s.

Now its historic old west mining ambiance attracts many visitors. Tonopah, an old gold mining town, is home to the Tonopah Historic Park. They’ve done an excellent job restoring and presenting mining relics, history, and buildings from the past.

Continuing up US-95 you pass through Hawthorne, NV. Hawthorne is home to the Hawthorne Army Depot that opened in 1930. The Army Depot covers 230 square miles, which includes over 400 ammunition bunkers. Additionally, just outside of Hawthorne is Walker Lake. Driving through the area is extremely interesting to me.

Northern Nevada Historic Sites

Between Lake Tahoe and Virginia City is Carson City, the Capitol of Nevada. Nevada Territory’s State Legislature held its first meeting in Carson City in 1861 to create a Nevada Constitution.

Effective October 31, 1864, Nevada became the 36th state in the United States of America. The Nevada Legislature is made up of 63 seats and meets every two years.

Up the hill from Reno and Carson City, Historic Virginia City awaits discovery. This entire area is a State of Nevada Historic Park. Piper’s Opera House is a highlight, as well as several mines that you can tour. Mines, mining relics, and slag piles are in numerous locations throughout the park.

Lake Tahoe is the most beautiful historic site in Nevada. Lake Tahoe is located on the border of California and Nevada. The Nevada tax benefits, gaming, and large hotels entice most residents to want to make their home on the Nevada side of the border. Numerous ski areas in the mountains surrounding Lake Tahoe offer breathtaking views of the lake while skiing.