Reno vs Sacramento
Two markets on the list for people leaving LA. Here's how they stack up on price, pace and taxes, measured against what a typical LA home sells for.
| Reno, NV | Sacramento, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $584K | $507K |
| Median single-family | $650K | $515K |
| Median condo | $280K | $365K |
| Median $/sq ft | $330 | $335 |
| Median days on market | 38 | 14 |
| Avg sale-to-list | 99.1% | 101.1% |
| Sq ft for $1M (at median $/sq ft) | 3,030 | 2,990 |
| Californians who moved to the state (2024) | 53,289 | n/a |
Redfin Data Center, May 2026, all residential unless noted. Typical LA County zip for reference: $904K median, $588/sq ft, 44 median days on market. Mover counts: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2024, estimates with margins of error.
The short version
Sacramento is the less expensive of the two at the median, about $507K versus $584K in Reno, roughly 13% less (Redfin, May 2026). Price per square foot is close too, $330 in Reno and $335 in Sacramento. Sacramento homes have been moving faster, 14 median days on market versus 38 in Reno. Sacramento is in California, so its income tax matches LA's. Nevada has no personal income tax. About 53,000 people moved from California to Nevada in 2024 (U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024).
Taxes
Reno: None (Nevada has no personal income tax). Sacramento: Same as LA (California, progressive, top rate 13.3%). Property tax, insurance and HOA costs vary by address in both places and can matter as much as income tax, so price them for any specific home.
Go deeper
Read the full guides: moving from LA to Reno and moving from LA to Sacramento.
Common questions
Is Reno or Sacramento cheaper?
Sacramento had the lower median sale price, about $507K versus $584K in Reno (Redfin, May 2026), roughly 13% less at the median.
Which has lower state income tax, Reno or Sacramento?
Reno has the lower state income tax. Nevada has no personal income tax. By comparison, California has a progressive income tax with a top marginal rate of 13.3% (tax year 2026). Rates change, so confirm with each state and a CPA.
What does $1 million buy in Reno vs Sacramento?
At the median price per square foot, $1 million works out to roughly 3,030 square feet in Reno and 2,990 in Sacramento, versus about 1,700 at the LA median. A rough illustration, not a listing.
