City Comparison
Caliente vs Fernley
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Caliente scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Caliente
Fernley
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Caliente is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
29% lower than in Fernley.
Housing costs are a major driver: Caliente's average rent is
42% lower than Fernley's.
| Metric | Caliente | Fernley | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,650 | -42% |
| Groceries | $380 | $420 | -10% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $140 | $130 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $240 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $1,865 | $2,615 | -29% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fernley offers 19% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Fernley delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Caliente is estimated at
$42,000 vs $54,000 in Fernley.
| Metric | Caliente | Fernley |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $64,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $54,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,091 idx | 65,306 idx |
| Household Income | $51,000 | $69,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.5°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Fernley sees 1.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Caliente | Fernley |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 59.20°F | 56.70°F |
| Summer High | 91.40°F | 90.00°F |
| Winter Low | 31.40°F | 30.20°F |
| Rainfall | 7.70 in | 7.70 in |
| Snowfall | 10.70 in | 11.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 327 | 325 |
| Humidity | 30.00% | 35.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Caliente has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,500 minutes (108 hours) per year compared to Fernley.
Fernley scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Caliente leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Caliente | Fernley |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 15.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fernley is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Fernley is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Caliente | Fernley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,100 | 23,377 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 1.80% |
| Median Age | 46.0 | 39.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Caliente
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living are substantially lower than the US national average.
Exceptional public safety with very low crime rates providing a secure environment for residents.
Immediate proximity to stunning Nevada state parks including Cathedral Gorge and Kershaw-Ryan.
Abundant sunshine with approximately 327 sunny days per year supporting an active outdoor lifestyle.
Peaceful, small-town community atmosphere free from urban traffic congestion and noise.
Drawbacks
Geographic isolation requires significant driving times to access major shopping, airports, and specialized healthcare.
Limited local job market with employment heavily concentrated in government and public services.
Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F, driving up seasonal cooling and utility costs.
Limited selection of dining, retail, and entertainment options within city limits.
Small rental inventory can make finding immediate housing challenging for newcomers.
Fernley
Advantages
No state income tax in Nevada provides direct financial benefits for residents and workers.
Proximity to the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center offers robust local job opportunities in manufacturing and logistics.
Median home prices remain more affordable than in nearby Reno and Sparks per regional MLS data.
Abundant access to outdoor recreation, including Pyramid Lake and high desert trails.
Small-town community atmosphere paired with convenient interstate access.
Drawbacks
High car dependency due to limited public transportation options within city limits.
Limited local dining, entertainment, and cultural amenities require trips to Reno for variety.
High summer temperatures can exceed 90°F regularly, increasing seasonal cooling costs.
Limited local specialty healthcare services require travel to major regional hospitals.
Rapid industrial growth has led to increased truck traffic along key local corridors.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Caliente
#181Nevada, USA
64.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
327/yr
Avg Temp
59.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
73
Business
55
Fernley
#190Nevada, USA
64.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
40.0/100
Sunny Days
325/yr
Avg Temp
56.70°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
72
Business
70
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