City Comparison
Caliente vs Mesquite
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Mesquite scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Caliente
Mesquite
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Caliente is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
26% lower than in Mesquite.
Housing costs are a major driver: Caliente's average rent is
39% lower than Mesquite's.
| Metric | Caliente | Mesquite | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,550 | -39% |
| Groceries | $380 | $420 | -10% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $140 | $130 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $240 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $1,865 | $2,515 | -26% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Mesquite offers 11% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Mesquite delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Caliente is estimated at
$42,000 vs $52,000 in Mesquite.
| Metric | Caliente | Mesquite |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $58,500 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,091 idx | 60,938 idx |
| Household Income | $51,000 | $64,200 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Mesquite runs warmer on average — a 12°F difference year-round.
Winter severity differs too — Caliente sees 10.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Caliente | Mesquite |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 59.20°F | 71.20°F |
| Summer High | 91.40°F | 104.30°F |
| Winter Low | 31.40°F | 42.20°F |
| Rainfall | 7.70 in | 6.40 in |
| Snowfall | 10.70 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 327 | 335 |
| Humidity | 30.00% | 28.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Mesquite 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 | Mesquite |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/100 | 22.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 34.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 15.00 | 32.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Mesquite is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Mesquite is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Caliente has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Caliente | Mesquite |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,100 | 23,800 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 2.40% |
| Median Age | 46.0 | 57.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 5.20% |
| 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.
Mesquite
Advantages
Nevada has no state personal income tax, maximizing take-home pay and retirement income per Census Bureau data.
Mesquite features 335 days of sunshine annually, ideal for outdoor activities and golf enthusiasts.
Property crime rates remain significantly lower than the national average, per FBI crime data.
Median home prices in Mesquite remain more affordable compared to neighboring metropolitan areas like Las Vegas and Salt Lake City.
Proximity to world-class natural attractions, including Zion National Park and the Virgin River Gorge.
Drawbacks
Extreme summer temperatures frequently exceed 100°F, restricting midday outdoor activity from June through August.
The local economy is heavily dependent on hospitality and tourism, limiting career diversity for non-hospitality professionals.
Public transportation is virtually nonexistent, making a car an absolute necessity for all daily activities.
Specialized medical care requires travel to Las Vegas or St. George, Utah, for advanced treatments.
Rapid population growth has put upward pressure on housing inventory and rental availability per Zillow housing market reports.
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
Mesquite
#153Nevada, USA
65.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,550
Avg Salary
$58,500
Cost Index
96
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
22.0/100
Walkability
34.0/100
Sunny Days
335/yr
Avg Temp
71.20°F
Pop. Growth
2.40%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
75
Business
67
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