City Comparison
Boulder City vs Fallon
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Boulder City scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Boulder City
Fallon
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Boulder City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
8% lower than in Fallon.
Housing costs are a major driver: Boulder City's average rent is
10% higher than Fallon's.
| Metric | Boulder City | Fallon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,495 | $1,353 | +10% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $200 | -10% |
| Transport | $120 | $450 | -73% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,445 | $2,653 | -8% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 102 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Boulder City offers 1% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Fallon delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Boulder City is estimated at
$48,000 vs $54,120 in Fallon.
| Metric | Boulder City | Fallon |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $55,647 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $54,120 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,997 idx | 53,922 idx |
| Household Income | $74,757 | $79,163 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Boulder City runs warmer on average — a 11.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Boulder City comes out ahead with 18 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Fallon sees 9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Boulder City | Fallon |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 69.00°F | 57.20°F |
| Summer High | 101.40°F | 92.40°F |
| Winter Low | 40.80°F | 27.50°F |
| Rainfall | 5.90 in | 6.90 in |
| Snowfall | 0.10 in | 9.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 339 | 321 |
| Humidity | 25.00% | 42.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Boulder City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Boulder City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Boulder City | Fallon |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Boulder City is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x the population of Fallon.
From a growth perspective, Fallon is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Boulder City has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Boulder City | Fallon |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 14,919 | 9,643 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.09% | 0.76% |
| Median Age | 53.5 | 35.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Boulder City
Advantages
Strict municipal growth ordinances protect the town's historic charm and prevent over-urbanization per the City of Boulder City.
Proximity to Lake Mead National Recreation Area provides world-class boating, hiking, and outdoor recreation right next door per Census data.
Significantly lower crime rates and higher safety scores compared to nearby Las Vegas and regional averages per federal crime reports.
A peaceful, non-gambling environment offering a quiet residential escape from the neon and noise of the Las Vegas Strip per municipal code.
Active local community engagement with robust volunteerism, local parks, and dedicated community programming per Data USA.
Drawbacks
Limited housing inventory and strict growth caps drive up property values and home purchase prices per Zillow and U.S. Census data.
An older median age profile (53.5 years) results in fewer dynamic nightlife options and family-oriented entertainment venues per Census metrics.
High car dependency with limited public transportation options for commuting outside municipal boundaries per regional transit studies.
Extreme summer high temperatures exceeding 100°F restrict outdoor daytime activities during peak summer months per Open-Meteo climate data.
Local employment options within city limits are relatively scarce, requiring many residents to commute to Henderson or Las Vegas per local economic reports.
Fallon
Advantages
Fallon's crime rates are significantly lower than the national average, with total crime 36% lower, violent crime 42.3% lower, and property crime 34.7% lower in 2024.
The average rent in Fallon is $1,353 per month as of October 2026, which is generally more affordable than many other areas in Nevada.
The city enjoys approximately 321 sunny days per year, providing ample opportunities for outdoor activities.
Fallon offers a small-town community feel with a slower pace of life, appealing to those seeking a close-knit environment.
Housing costs in Fallon are considerably lower than in larger Northern Nevada cities like Reno, making homeownership more accessible.
Drawbacks
Fallon's employment experienced a decline of -1.74% from 2023 to 2024, indicating a challenging job growth environment.
The city is highly car-dependent, with 75.8% of workers driving alone to work in 2024, and limited public transit options.
Despite some affordable housing, the overall cost of living in Fallon is slightly higher than the national average, with a cost index of 102 in 2026.
Healthcare access is primarily centered around one 25-bed hospital, which may limit specialized medical services locally.
Dining and entertainment options are more limited compared to larger metropolitan areas, which might not appeal to everyone.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Boulder City
#231Nevada, USA
62.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,495
Avg Salary
$55,647
Cost Index
105
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
339/yr
Avg Temp
69.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.09%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
78
Business
65
Fallon
#343Nevada, USA
60.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,353
Avg Salary
$55,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
30.0/100
Sunny Days
321/yr
Avg Temp
57.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.76%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
70
Business
55
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