7 Best Towns In Nevada For Retirees

While some states boast miles of white-sand beaches, and others a rugged and curvaceous shoreline, Nevada, where public land constitutes 85% of the total land mass, is the ultimate outdoor playground. Retirees here enjoy a good number of sunny days, dramatic natural landscapes, and an affordable quality of life. Although home prices here are not as affordable as they are in Alabama, for example, they are not ridiculously high, and ammenities abound, from health care services to community supports. But which are the best spots to retire? Starting with Boulder City, the following are the 7 best towns in Nevada for retirees.

Boulder City

One of the most appealing aspects about retiring in Boulder City is that one can dash to Las Vegas in less than 30 minutes, a proximity that implies fantastic access to big-city amenities, including shopping venues and some of the best hospitals in the state. Henderson, Nevada's second-largest city, is even closer, at just 11 miles down the road. Surprisingly, you don't have to make an out-of-town trip to see a physician. Boulder City Hospital, a cornerstone of the community since 1931, offers a full range of healthcare services, from emergency care to long-term treatment.

In May 2025, the median listing home price in Boulder City was $500,000, roughly the same as the statewide median of $499,900. Also, Boulder City is the only place in Clark County that does not permit gambling, meaning the social scene is more about connection and less about consumption. For outdoor activities, you are a heartbeat from Lake Mead, the Lake Mead Recreational Area, and the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area, all of which offer endless opportunities for discovery and recreation.

Mesquite

Mesquite has a museum dedicated to donkeys, one of the most unusual attractions in the state. However, the things a retiree will likely love most about it include its affordability, its warm and sunny climate, and its range of outdoor recreational activities, particularly golf courses. Wolf Creek Golf Club is known for its wildly contrasting landscape and elevation changes, and Oasis Golf Club boasts two championship courses designed by Arnold Palmer himself.

The Virgin River flows south of town, and the nearby Virgin River Gorge Recreation Area offers a delightful range of recreational opportunities just across the border in Arizona. The campground includes RV sites, though no electrical hook-ups or waste dumping stations, and lots of shaded picnic tables to beat the desert heat. On healthcare access, the highly rated Mesa View Regional Hospital is right in town. Its Sleep Medicine Center specializes in diagnosing and treating several sleep disorders, including insomnia, snoring, and sleep apnea.

Elko

Set in northeastern Nevada, Elko appeals to active retirees who prefer a rugged, outdoorsy lifestyle. You will be surrounded by mountains and wide open spaces, where you can hunt, hike, ski, or fish. There is easy access to South Fork State Recreation Area, a fantastic camping spot with full-service RV sites, as well as the Humboldt River and the Ruby Mountains, often called Nevada's Alps. With a median listing home price of $434,900 in May 2025, Elko is not only accessible, it's affordable.

You can also enjoy a vibrant culinary offering, with a good number of solid restaurants for a spontaneous brunch or dinner. Basque culture has strong roots in Elko, and restaurants such as Toki Ona and the dining room at the Star Hotel are local favourites for family-style European cuisine. As for healthcare, Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital, the area's premier provider of healthcare, is at your doorstep. It is a 75-bed facility that offers a wide range of medical services, including heart care and emergency services.

Fernley

In May 2025, the median listing home price in Fernley was $415,000, a price point that falls far below the statewide median. Aside from its relative affordability, Fernley is loved for its unique, small-town charm, strong sense of community, and beautiful sunsets. The best part? Reno, Nevada's third-largest city, is just 34 miles west of town. This means you can access top-notch amenities and cultural attractions in the blink of an eye.

There is the Fernley Senior Center, a hub for social engagement and community support for those in their golden years. One can sit by the lake and enjoy calming views on every side at nearby Lahontan State Recreation Area, as well as Pyramid Lake and its tributary, the 121-mile Truckee River, the sole outlet of Lake Tahoe.

Fallon

Fallon is conveniently positioned along Highway 50 in a pastoral landscape of cantaloupe fields, alfalfa crops, and other features one would expect of a small, rural community with a slow pace of living. Despite being in an arid region, it is often referred to as "The Oasis of Nevada,” thanks to its proximity to two lakes and a river. In May 2025, the median listing home price in Fallon was $417,500, making it reasonably priced for those on a fixed income.

The Lahontan Reservoir and the Lahontan State Recreation Area are closer to Fallon than they are Fernley, and are wildly popular with boaters and campers. In a similar vein, the nearby Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge, located in the Lahontan Valley, is a birder's paradise that teems with hundreds of thousands of shorebirds seasonally. On healthcare access, the highly-rated Banner Churchill Community Hospital is right at your doorstep, offering acute and primary care, as well as a range of other services.

Yerington

Yerington is a great little spot with beautiful mountain scenery, nice people, a municipal airport, and an enticing hometown feel that is increasingly becoming rare to find in the United States. Supermarket Chapala is a fantastic place for food and groceries, as well as a range of other essential goods and services. On healthcare access, South Lyon Medical Center is right in town, while the award-winning Carson Valley Health is a short drive away in Gardnerville. With a median listing home price of $325,000 as of May, 2025, which is almost $175,000 lower than the statewide median, your dollar will stretch a little further here than in most other Nevada towns and cities.

Places to pass the time include Pitchfork Ranch in Walker River State Park, Dini's Lucky Club Casino, and Yerington Senior Citizens Center, a great place to mingle with fellow empty nesters. Overall, Yerington boasts a lively entertainment scene, especially for a town its size.

Pahrump

Pahrump boasts around 45,000 residents, meaning one can enjoy the look and ammenities of a mid-sized city with the intimate feel of a small one. It offers a blend of affordability, a warm desert climate, and proximity to nature and the great outdoors. Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge is the largest oasis in the Mojave desert and is easily accessible, as is the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area at Mt Charleston, which offers a refreshing escape from the desert heat.

World-famous Death Valley National Park, an expanse of unusual beauty with salt flats, sand dunes, and colorful hills, is across the border in California but an easy drive away. The best part about Pahrump's location, however, is that it lies just over an hour from Las Vegas, meaning it suits retirees who want peace and quiet without the total isolation of a middle-of-nowhere location.

The Takeaway

Whether you want to slow down or begin your boldest adventure yet, Nevada should be on your retirement radar. You will find spots where you can tee off on world-class golf courses, sip coffee under pastel sunsets, float down lazy rivers, or cast a line in trout-rich streams. You may have heard that 85% of Nevada is public land, and that alone makes a huge difference, especially if you are a retiree who loves the outdoors. And with zero state income tax, these 7 towns just may be Nevada's safest bet for retirement.