City Comparison
Elko vs Fernley
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Elko scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Elko
Fernley
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Elko is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
19% lower than in Fernley.
Housing costs are a major driver: Elko's average rent is
34% lower than Fernley's.
| Metric | Elko | Fernley | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,087 | $1,650 | -34% |
| Groceries | $415 | $420 | -1% |
| Utilities | $267 | $175 | +53% |
| Transport | $150 | $130 | +15% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $240 | -17% |
| Monthly Total | $2,119 | $2,615 | -19% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Elko offers 13% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Elko delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Elko is estimated at
$43,476 vs $54,000 in Fernley.
| Metric | Elko | Fernley |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $64,000 |
| Salary Needed | $43,476 | $54,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,571 idx | 65,306 idx |
| Household Income | $79,036 | $69,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 3.5°F of each other.
For sunshine, Fernley comes out ahead with 11 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Elko sees 22.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Elko | Fernley |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.20°F | 56.70°F |
| Summer High | 86.80°F | 90.00°F |
| Winter Low | 27.20°F | 30.20°F |
| Rainfall | 11.00 in | 7.70 in |
| Snowfall | 34.10 in | 11.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 314 | 325 |
| Humidity | % | 35.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Elko has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Fernley.
Fernley scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Fernley leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Elko | Fernley |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | — | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | — | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fernley is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Elko.
From a growth perspective, Fernley is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Elko has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Elko | Fernley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,357 | 23,377 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.66% | 1.80% |
| Median Age | 33.2 | 39.2 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 4.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Elko
Advantages
Elko County had a low unemployment rate of 2.8% in August 2026, indicating a strong job market.
The city boasts a rich cultural scene, hosting events like the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering and the National Basque Festival.
The median days on market for homes was 26 days in September 2026, down significantly year-over-year, suggesting properties move quickly.
Elko's average commute time is relatively short, estimated at 20 minutes.
The safety index for Elko was 76 in 2026, indicating a generally safe environment.
Drawbacks
Median rent prices in Elko saw a substantial year-over-year increase of 97.75% to $2,373 per month in September 2026.
Elko is considered a car-dependent city with limited public transit options.
The cost of living in Elko is higher than 71% of cities in North America as of September 2026.
The housing market was a buyer's market in September 2026, with homes selling for approximately the asking price on average, but with a supply greater than demand.
Specific data on advanced healthcare services and specialized medical costs for Elko are not readily available.
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.
Elko
#167Nevada, USA
64.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,087
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
105
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
314/yr
Avg Temp
53.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.66%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
72
Business
70
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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