Reno vs Scottsdale
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 | Scottsdale, AZ | |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $584K | $933K |
| Median single-family | $650K | $1.35M |
| Median condo | $280K | $345K |
| Median $/sq ft | $330 | $430 |
| Median days on market | 38 | 76 |
| Avg sale-to-list | 99.1% | 96.4% |
| Sq ft for $1M (at median $/sq ft) | 3,030 | 2,330 |
| Californians who moved to the state (2024) | 53,289 | 52,383 |
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
Reno is the less expensive of the two at the median, about $584K versus $933K in Scottsdale, roughly 37% less (Redfin, May 2026). $1 million covers roughly 3,030 square feet in Reno at the median price per square foot, versus about 2,330 in Scottsdale. Reno homes have been moving faster, 38 median days on market versus 76 in Scottsdale. Nevada has no personal income tax. Arizona has a 2.5% flat income tax (tax year 2026). In 2024 about 53,000 Californians moved to Nevada and about 52,000 to Arizona (U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024).
Taxes
Reno: None (Nevada has no personal income tax). Scottsdale: 2.5% flat rate (tax year 2026). 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 Scottsdale.
Common questions
Is Reno or Scottsdale cheaper?
Reno had the lower median sale price, about $584K versus $933K in Scottsdale (Redfin, May 2026), roughly 37% less at the median.
Which has lower state income tax, Reno or Scottsdale?
Reno has the lower state income tax. Nevada has no personal income tax. By comparison, Arizona has a 2.5% flat income tax (tax year 2026). Rates change, so confirm with each state and a CPA.
What does $1 million buy in Reno vs Scottsdale?
At the median price per square foot, $1 million works out to roughly 3,030 square feet in Reno and 2,330 in Scottsdale, versus about 1,700 at the LA median. A rough illustration, not a listing.
