Nevada vs California: taxes, cost of living, laws

Nevada

Low tax burden · COL index 101

Wins 10 categories

California

Moderate tax burden · COL index 142

Wins 5 categories

Nevada has no state income tax. California's top rate is 13.3%. Cost of living in California (index 142) runs 41% higher than Nevada (index 101). The median home in California costs $790K vs $415K in Nevada. Politically, Nevada voted Republican in 2024 (R+3.0) while California went Democratic (D+20.0).

Nevada

California

Taxes

None

Income Tax (top rate)

13.3%

0.53%/yr

Property Tax Rate

0.71%/yr

8.23%

Sales Tax (avg)

8.82%

Yes

Social Security Tax

Yes

Estate Tax

Yes

None

Capital Gains Tax

As income

Housing & Cost of Living

101

COL Index (100=avg)

142

$415K

Median Home Price

$790K

$1,550/mo

Median Rent (2BR/mo)

$2,300/mo

$800/yr

Home Insurance (avg/yr)

$2K/yr

Crime & Safety

595

Violent Crime / 100K

499

2,634

Property Crime / 100K

2,027

242

Sex Offenders / 100K

155

309

Homeless / 100K

475

Healthcare

#35 of 50

Healthcare Quality Rank

#13 of 50

75.5 yrs

Life Expectancy

79.2 yrs

10.6%

Uninsured Rate

6.8%

Yes

Medicaid Expansion

Yes

Education

#48 of 50

K-12 Quality Rank

#20 of 50

Yes

School Choice / Vouchers

Childcare

$1,200/mo

Avg Infant Care / mo

$2,200/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$130/mo

Avg Energy Bill / mo

$175/mo

$500/mo

Avg Groceries / mo

$620/mo

#32 of 50

Road Quality Rank

#49 of 50

Social Policy

C+

Gun Laws Grade

R+3.0

2024 Presidential Margin

D+20.0

Category wins

Nevada

California

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