City Comparison
Fallon vs Reno
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Reno scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fallon
Reno
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Reno is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in Fallon.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fallon's average rent is
18% lower than Reno's.
| Metric | Fallon | Reno | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,353 | $1,650 | -18% |
| Groceries | $400 | $420 | -5% |
| Utilities | $200 | $175 | +14% |
| Transport | $450 | $115 | +291% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $240 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,653 | $2,600 | +2% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 104 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Reno offers 18% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Reno delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fallon is estimated at
$54,120 vs $58,000 in Reno.
| Metric | Fallon | Reno |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $55,000 | $67,000 |
| Salary Needed | $54,120 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,922 idx | 64,423 idx |
| Household Income | $79,163 | $76,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 3°F of each other.
For sunshine, Fallon comes out ahead with 13 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Reno sees 12.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fallon | Reno |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.20°F | 54.20°F |
| Summer High | 92.40°F | 88.20°F |
| Winter Low | 27.50°F | 28.10°F |
| Rainfall | 6.90 in | 18.70 in |
| Snowfall | 9.10 in | 21.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 321 | 308 |
| Humidity | 42.00% | 38.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Reno scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Reno leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fallon | Reno |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Reno is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Reno is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Fallon | Reno |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,643 | 270,631 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.76% | 1.40% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 37.5 |
| 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.
Reno
Advantages
No state income tax in Nevada provides significant financial relief for residents and businesses.
Proximity to Lake Tahoe and world-class Sierra Nevada ski resorts offers exceptional year-round outdoor recreation.
A rapidly diversifying economy anchored by major technology, manufacturing, and logistics employers.
Thriving arts and cultural scene highlighted by month-long festivals like Artown and the Midtown district.
More affordable cost of living and housing compared to nearby coastal California metropolitan areas.
Drawbacks
Rapid population growth has driven up housing costs and rental rates significantly over the past several years.
Air quality can be seasonally impacted by regional wildfire smoke during dry summer and autumn months.
Car dependency is high outside of the immediate downtown and Midtown commercial cores.
Winter weather brings occasional heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures requiring mountain driving preparedness.
Job market competition has increased in certain sectors due to the influx of new residents from out of state.
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
Reno
#321Nevada, USA
60.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$67,000
Cost Index
104
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
308/yr
Avg Temp
54.20°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
75
Business
76
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