Relocating to Sacramento · From Nevada
Moving to Sacramento From Nevada: Reno, Las Vegas and Beyond
Nevada is the top out-of-state source of newcomers to the Sacramento region. See what the data shows, the California rules that surprise movers and the route over the Sierra.
Written by Maggie B. Hopkins, Broker-Owner · Real Estate & Mortgage Broker at Surroundings. Facts checked October 2026.
Which State Sends the Most People to the Sacramento Region?
Nevada sends the most. In the Census Bureau's 2016-2020 survey, about 3,158 people a year moved from Nevada into Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado and Yolo counties, more than from any other state. The newer Census microdata for 2022 to 2024 still puts Nevada first, at about 2,436 people a year, with Texas close behind at about 2,358.
The tax data is closer to a tie. IRS migration data for the 2022-23 filing years shows 1,048 people moved from Nevada to Sacramento County, while 1,152 came from Texas. In short, Nevada and Texas are the two biggest out-of-state sources, and Nevada leads in the surveys.
By metro, the IRS data names the Las Vegas area (Clark County) with 569 people moving to Sacramento County and the Reno area (Washoe County) with 445. Douglas County, Nevada, sent 226 people to El Dorado County.
Is Nevada a One-Way Move?
No, and it is worth knowing why. More people leave Sacramento County for Nevada than arrive from it. The 2022-23 IRS data shows a net loss of 633 people from Sacramento County to Nevada. Washoe County sent 969 people to the four-county region and took 1,532 from it, and the region has lost people to Reno on net in every IRS year since 2015-16.
The two regions sit next to each other on Interstate 80, and people move in both directions every year. Knowing that helps if you are selling later: a Sacramento-area home has buyers coming from Nevada too.
Where Do Out-of-State Movers Land?
The Census microdata, broken out by area for 2022 to 2024, shows some of the largest out-of-state shares in the Placer foothills and the Placer and east county suburbs. Among people new to the region, other states made up about 38% of newcomers to the Roseville area and about 36% in Folsom, Orangevale and the east side of Fair Oaks. In Auburn, Colfax and the high country of Placer County the share was about 42%, though that estimate is rough.
Those are survey estimates with wide margins, so read them as direction, not exact counts. They point to places on or near the I-80 and Highway 50 routes toward Nevada. See the guides for Roseville, Rocklin and Fair Oaks, and read about relocating to Placer County.
What Changes When You Move From Nevada to California?
A few rules catch out-of-state movers off guard. None of this is tax or legal advice, so confirm the details for your own situation.
- State income tax. The Tax Foundation's 2026 table lists Nevada among the states with no individual income tax. California has one. Talk with a tax professional before you set a move date.
- Property tax. California taxes a home based on its purchase price, not a yearly market reassessment. The State Board of Equalization explains the rate is 1 percent plus voter-approved bonds, and the assessed amount can rise no more than 2 percent a year until the home sells again. Newer neighborhoods may add special taxes, such as Mello-Roos districts.
- Prop 19. Prop 19 moves a tax base between California homes. A home sold in Nevada has no California base to bring, so plan your budget on the full purchase price.
- Your car. The California DMV says a vehicle registered in another state must be registered here within 20 days of becoming a resident.
How Do You Get Between Sacramento and Nevada?
For Reno, Interstate 80 is the main road, climbing through Placer County over the Sierra. Amtrak's California Zephyr runs one train a day each way, stopping in Reno, Truckee, Colfax, Roseville, Sacramento and Davis.
For Las Vegas, most people fly. Sacramento International Airport handled about 13.9 million passengers in 2025. Routes change, so check the airport's nonstop map for current flights.
If you'll travel back to Nevada often, tell us how and how often, and we'll factor that into which towns we show you.
How Does Our Team Help Someone Moving From Out of State?
You may not know the region at all, and that is fine. Maggie B. Hopkins, a Mortgage and Real Estate Broker, gets your pre-approval in place before you travel and can talk through selling your Nevada home. Rachel Dee Minyard, our REALTOR® and Creative Director, is your buyer's agent and your guide to the neighborhoods. She explains how the areas differ, tours homes on live video and sends you what she sees on the street. If you need an agent there, we can refer you to one.
Call or text Maggie at (916) 549-3131 or book a relocation consultation to plan the search. Maggie can also start your pre-approval. Get the free Moving to Sacramento guide, read how buying from out of town works, or run a payment on the mortgage calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
What state do most people move to Sacramento from?
Nevada is the top state, in the Census surveys. About 3,158 people a year moved from Nevada into the four-county region in 2016-2020, and about 2,436 a year in 2022-2024. In IRS data for 2022-23, Texas sent slightly more to Sacramento County alone.
Do more people move from Reno to Sacramento or the other way?
More people move the other way. Washoe County sent 969 people to the four-county region in 2022-23 and took 1,532 from it, per IRS data, and the region has lost people to Reno on net every IRS year since 2015-16.
Does Prop 19 help if I sell a home in Nevada?
No. Prop 19 transfers a tax base between California homes. A home sold in another state has no California base to bring, so plan on a tax bill based on your purchase price here.
How soon do I need to register my car in California?
The California DMV says a vehicle registered in another state must be registered here within 20 days of becoming a resident.
Is there a train from Reno to Sacramento?
Yes. Amtrak's California Zephyr runs one train a day each way, stopping in Reno, Truckee, Colfax, Roseville, Sacramento and Davis.
Who do I call to start a move from out of state?
Call or text Maggie at (916) 549-3131 about the loan, the search or the neighborhoods. Rachel Dee Minyard leads the search and neighborhoods.
More relocation guides
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Read the guide →Moving from San Francisco
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Read the guide →Moving from San Jose and Silicon Valley
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Read the guide →Moving from the East Bay
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Read the guide →Moving from Los Angeles and Southern California
Los Angeles County sends Sacramento County more people than it takes back in IRS data. See what the migration data really shows, prices county by county and the trip back south.
Read the guide →Cost of living vs the Bay Area
Compare Sacramento and the Bay Area with dated federal price indexes, August 2026 home prices, electric bills and California's property tax rules.
Read the guide →Best places for a Bay Area commute
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Read the guide →Buying a home before you move
See how video tours, the loan, the offer and closing work from out of town. Maggie lines up the loan. Rachel shows you the homes and neighborhoods.
Read the guide →Property tax and Prop 19
Learn how a California base-year transfer works and who the law makes eligible. The deadlines decide whether it works for you.
Read the guide →Downsizing and single-level living
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Read the guide →Culture, food and wine
Sacramento pairs Farm-to-Fork dining with Broadway and repertory theatre. Museums, five wine regions and golf sit close by.
Read the guide →Healthcare and getting around
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Read the guide →
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau, County-to-County Migration Flows: 2016-2020 ACS, 2016-2020 survey.
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample, 2022, 2023 and 2024 one-year files, with Surroundings calculations by area, 2022-2024 survey.
- IRS Statistics of Income, U.S. Population Migration Data, 2022-2023 (address changes on tax returns), 2022-2023 filing years.
- Tax Foundation, 2026 state income tax rates and brackets, 2026 data.
- California State Board of Equalization, Publication 29, California Property Tax: An Overview, checked October 2026.
- City of Roseville, special taxes and assessments (Community Facilities Districts), checked October 2026.
- California State Board of Equalization, Proposition 19, checked October 2026.
- California DMV, new California resident portal, checked October 2026.
- Wikipedia, California Zephyr (stations and frequency), checked October 2026.
- Wikipedia, Sacramento International Airport, checked October 2026.
- Sacramento International Airport, nonstop destinations map, checked October 2026.
Prices are medians for context, not a valuation of any home. Migration counts come from IRS and Census data for the periods named and describe past moves, not a forecast. Train schedules and road projects change; check the operator before you travel.
Tax and vehicle rules are summarized from the Tax Foundation, the State Board of Equalization and the California DMV. This is not tax or legal advice; confirm with a tax professional and the agency.
Maggie B. Hopkins is a Mortgage and Real Estate Broker (CA DRE Broker #01750680, NMLS #349517). Rachel Dee Minyard is a REALTOR® (CA DRE #02213398).
Loans are arranged by Maggie B. Hopkins, NMLS #349517, at Surroundings, NMLS #2528307. All loans are subject to credit approval and underwriting, and this page is not a commitment to lend.
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