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Top 10 Places to Buy Land for Sale in Nevada

Published: 11-02-23 Category: Buying

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Famous for its deserts and natural environments, Nevada is a lucrative frontier for land investors: The state boasts over 70 million acres of land to pick and choose from. And, with an economy built on land-intensive industries, like manufacturing, logistics, mining, and energy, The Silver State offers plenty of opportunities for those looking to acquire plots of their own.

With so many options, the question remains: Where, in Nevada, should you buy?

Here, we'll cover the top 10 places to buy land for sale in Nevada. We chose these places based on their land availability, local economies, and investment opportunities in land-intensive industries.

Let's get started.

#1 – Elko County

Top 10 Places to Buy Land for Sale in Nevada

If farmland investing is your thing, then buying land for sale in Elko County is worth considering. Elko County is the largest agricultural producer in the state and generates more than $72 million in revenue, mostly in cattle and poultry.

USDA data shows Elko County has the second-highest pasture rents in the state, and land prices in Elko routinely dip lower than $1,000 per acre.

#2 – Washoe

For investors looking to purchase land for rental property development, buying land for sale in Washoe County can be a good option.

Washoe County has a high proportion of renters and some of the state's fastest-growing average rental rates. Average monthly rental rates in Washoe County reach up to $1,585 a month.

#3 – Las Vegas

Located in Clark County and the largest city in Nevada, Las Vegas is famous for its casinos and luxury hotels, but the city also has sizable trade and manufacturing sectors.

Buying land for sale in Las Vegas can be profitable on account of the city's large economy and fast population growth.

Clark County land for sale can run as low as $1,000 an acre, but most plots go for around $3,000 an acre or higher.

#4 – Mesquite

Mesquite is a municipality located northeast of Las Vegas in Clark County. It has over 4,000 acres of industrial land available for commercial development, and the city is currently developing energy infrastructure to attract more commercial developers.

Buying land for sale in Mesquite may also favor those looking to develop new residential property thanks to its low cost of living and sunny, warm climate.

#5 – Eureka

For investors interested in land for natural resources, Eureka County is a solid bet.

Eureka County is home to some of the largest gold mines on the entire continent, with the largest producing over 60,000 oz. of gold each year.

Land in Eureka County is also very cheap, usually hovering around $1,500 per acre.

#6 – Winnemucca

Winnemucca is a small but historic town with an economy founded on ranching, gold/silver mining, and agriculture. The main industrial and commercial land region in Winnemucca is near the Business Loop I-80 and Winnemucca Airport Industrial Park.

Land for sale in Winnemucca can run as cheap as $800 per acre, with more expensive plots coming in between $2,000 and $3,000 per acre.

#7 – Carson City

Located south of Reno, Carson City is home to the largest light manufacturing base in the entire state, with over 178 manufacturing operations.

Advanced manufacturing in Carson City includes electric, transportation, machinery, plastics/rubber, and chemical manufacturing.

#8 – Lincoln

Lincoln County, Nevada is north of Las Vegas and offers some of the best hunting in the state. Specifically, Lincoln is a hotspot for elk, antelope, and deer hunts, and hunting land is generally easier to own and manage from an investor perspective.

According to lease listing data, the average hunting lease per acre in Nevada is between $15 and $20 per acre.

#9 – Humboldt

Humboldt County is another good option if you're looking to make passive income from agricultural land.

Humboldt produces over $100 million in crop products yearly, including alfalfa hay, small grames, potatoes, and peas. Average cash rents for cropland in Humboldt County are $166 per acre.

#10 – Pershing

If you want the cheapest plots of land, check out Pershing County. Land for sale in Pershing is cheap, with some undeveloped plots selling for as low as $400 per acre.

Average land prices in Pershing hover between $800 and $1,000 per acre.

What's the Average Cost per Acre of Land in Nevada?

Based on data from the USDA, the average cost of an acre of farmland in Nevada is $1,060. Note that this figure excludes land from native reservations.

Overall, Nevada is one of the most affordable states in the country to buy undeveloped land.

Who Owns the Most Land in Nevada?

The US government owns the most land in Nevada at 57 million acres—nearly 85% of the state's total acreage.

Nevada has the most government-owned land out of any state in the country. The top private land owner in Nevada is the Barrick Gold Corporation, which owns 1.5 million acres.

Is Buying Land in Nevada a Good Idea?

Yes, investing in land for sale in Nevada can be an excellent idea from the perspective of a commercial real estate investment. Land in Nevada is generally extremely affordable, and major industries in Nevada include manufacturing, mining, energy, logistics, and agriculture, all of which are ideal industries for land investors.

Nevada also has a very favorable business tax structure, with no corporate income, personal income, or franchise income tax. Property taxes in Nevada are among the lowest in the country, at an effective rate of 0.48%.

Working With a Nevada Land Broker

Hiring a land broker can make your search for land for sale in Nevada a lot less stressful. Land brokers are commercial real estate agents that specialize in all aspects of buying, selling, and leasing land, such as:

Finding plots of land;
Calculating real estate financials;
Gathering environmental reports;
Exploring land loans; and
Negotiating real estate purchases.

Buying commercial land can differ significantly from buying commercial property in terms of financing, capital requirements, and investment strategies. So, having an expert on your investment team can help you avoid common pitfalls of buying land.

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