Every year United Van Lines completes a study on the top destinations people are moving to, and from, in the United States. In 2016, Nevada ranked number 9 for states people are moving to (slipping by one spot from last year). Clearly Nevada continues to be an in-demand place to relocate. Here's some of the many reasons why!

1. The Economy

Nevada's economy has been on the upswing and according to the NevadaSmallBusiness website, employment in the state reached a record high. Since 2010 the growth rate in the state has been an average of 2.4 percent which is higher than the national state economic growth rate of 1.7. Industries that suffered during the recession, such as gaming and and tourism, have been returning to their pre-recession levels of success. Nevada is also the site of new business ventures, including the the Tesla factory near Reno, the Faraday Future electric car plant in North Las Vegas, and the $350 million renovation of downtown Las Vegas promoted by Tony Hsieh of Zappos.com.

2. No Income Tax and Average Cost of Living

While the cost of living here isn't the lowest it can be in the U.S., it's certainly lower than many states. According to the Expatistan Cost of Living Index, the cost of living in the largest city, Las Vegas, Nevada, ranks 28th of out 50 states in the U.S. Even more significant, there is no state income tax in Nevada which is a very attractive financial benefit to living in the state.

3. Retirement

Nevada is a top location for retirees, no doubt due to the cost of living, pleasant weather and recreational and entertainment opportunities. Cities such as Mesquite are attracting large numbers of retirees. Mesquite was in fact the #1 place to retire on a list created by InsiderMonkey in 2016.

4. Start Ups and Technology

Because of the lack of state income tax and other business regulations, Nevada has become a targeted location for start ups and technological firms. One example is the Downtown Las Vegas project funded by Zappos and others to encourage more businesses, particularly hi-tech firms, and technology professionals to relocate to Las Vegas and Nevada and create a new version of Silicon Valley. Tech.co called Las Vegas one of the top seven cities for startups in its 2015 report and projects like Switch, a major Las Vegas data company, are on track to make Nevada, according to Governor Brian Sandoval, "the most digitally connected state in the United States."

5. Entertainment

Anyone who lives here knows, if you're looking for fun, there is no shortage of options in the state. From gambling to concerts to shows, you can pretty much find it all in Nevada, and that's not just limited to glitzy high-tourist areas like Las Vegas.

6. Food

Nevada is a foodie paradise and again, you don't have to live in restaurant-heavy areas like Las Vegas or Reno to appreciate some delicious cuisine. Nevada's cultural diversity has led to a variety of ethnic cuisine's availability around the state. You can find everything from traditional Basque meals to authentic Thai cuisine to good 'ole cowboy cookouts with BBQ.

7. Natural spaces

There are so many beautiful outdoor spaces to list that no matter what short list you come up with, someone's favorite is sure to be left out. Many of these are easily accessed from major cities as well. Some favorites on the southern to central end of the state are the Red Rock Canyon national conservation area, Great Basin National Park, Valley of Fire State Park, Cathedral Gorge, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, the Colorado River, Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge, and sections of Death Valley National Park.

And in the central and northern areas of Nevada, just a short list of beautiful places includes Lake Tahoe, Black Rock Desert, Pyramid Lake, the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Cake Lake State Park, Sheldon National Antelope Refuge, Galena Creek Regional Park, and so many more! In addition to all that, Nevada has more natural hot springs throughout the state than any other state in the U.S.

8. Climate

Nevada is blessed with some wonderful weather. While it's definitely hot in some parts of the state in the summer, the dry heat and lack of humidity makes the heat generally tolerable.

Likewise depending upon where you live in the state, winters can be quite lovely and have a fantastic array of winter sports options. If snow isn't your thing, living in the southern area of the state means fairly mild winters with little, if any, snow.

9. Culture

One thing that's hard to quantify about the state is the people. We all have different views and cultures, but there's a definite "Western" state of mind among Nevadans, perhaps informed by our cowboy history which meant relying on ingenuity, independence and perseverance to settle in and grow the state. Nevadans also tend to be extremely proud of their state, whether they were born and bred there or are a transplant.

Why do you think people are coming to Nevada? Share in the comments!