City Comparison
Fallon vs Fernley
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fernley scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fallon
Fernley
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fernley is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Fallon.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fallon's average rent is
18% lower than Fernley's.
| Metric | Fallon | Fernley | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,353 | $1,650 | -18% |
| Groceries | $400 | $420 | -5% |
| Utilities | $200 | $175 | +14% |
| Transport | $450 | $130 | +246% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $240 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,653 | $2,615 | +1% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fernley offers 14% 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 Fallon is estimated at
$54,120 vs $54,000 in Fernley.
| Metric | Fallon | Fernley |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $55,000 | $64,000 |
| Salary Needed | $54,120 | $54,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,922 idx | 65,306 idx |
| Household Income | $79,163 | $69,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.5°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Fernley sees 2.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fallon | Fernley |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.20°F | 56.70°F |
| Summer High | 92.40°F | 90.00°F |
| Winter Low | 27.50°F | 30.20°F |
| Rainfall | 6.90 in | 7.70 in |
| Snowfall | 9.10 in | 11.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 321 | 325 |
| Humidity | 42.00% | 35.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Fallon has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 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 | Fallon | Fernley |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fernley is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Fallon.
From a growth perspective, Fernley is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Fallon | Fernley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,643 | 23,377 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.76% | 1.80% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 39.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
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.
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
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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