City Comparison
Mesquite vs Fallon
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Mesquite scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Mesquite
Fallon
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mesquite is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Fallon.
Housing costs are a major driver: Mesquite's average rent is
15% higher than Fallon's.
| Metric | Mesquite | Fallon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,550 | $1,353 | +15% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $200 | -13% |
| Transport | $130 | $450 | -71% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,515 | $2,653 | -5% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 102 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Mesquite offers 6% higher 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 Mesquite is estimated at
$52,000 vs $54,120 in Fallon.
| Metric | Mesquite | Fallon |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,500 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $54,120 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,938 idx | 53,922 idx |
| Household Income | $64,200 | $79,163 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Mesquite runs warmer on average — a 14°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Mesquite comes out ahead with 14 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Fallon sees 9.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Mesquite | Fallon |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 71.20°F | 57.20°F |
| Summer High | 104.30°F | 92.40°F |
| Winter Low | 42.20°F | 27.50°F |
| Rainfall | 6.40 in | 6.90 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 9.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 335 | 321 |
| Humidity | 28.00% | 42.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Mesquite has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Fallon.
Mesquite scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Mesquite leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Mesquite | Fallon |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 16 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 22.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 34.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Mesquite is the larger city
— approximately 2.5x the population of Fallon.
From a growth perspective, Mesquite is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Fallon has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Mesquite | Fallon |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,800 | 9,643 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.40% | 0.76% |
| Median Age | 57.2 | 35.5 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 4.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
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.
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
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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