City Comparison
Fallon vs Winnemucca
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Winnemucca scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fallon
Winnemucca
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Winnemucca is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
25% lower than in Fallon.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fallon's average rent is
23% higher than Winnemucca's.
| Metric | Fallon | Winnemucca | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,353 | $1,100 | +23% |
| Groceries | $400 | $380 | +5% |
| Utilities | $200 | $175 | +14% |
| Transport | $450 | $110 | +309% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $220 | +14% |
| Monthly Total | $2,653 | $1,985 | +34% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Winnemucca offers 5% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Winnemucca delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fallon is estimated at
$54,120 vs $48,000 in Winnemucca.
| Metric | Fallon | Winnemucca |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $55,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $54,120 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,922 idx | 63,043 idx |
| Household Income | $79,163 | $68,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 3.3°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Winnemucca sees 10.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fallon | Winnemucca |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.20°F | 53.90°F |
| Summer High | 92.40°F | 87.80°F |
| Winter Low | 27.50°F | 27.30°F |
| Rainfall | 6.90 in | 9.70 in |
| Snowfall | 9.10 in | 19.50 in |
| Sunny Days | 321 | 321 |
| Humidity | 42.00% | 45.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Winnemucca has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Fallon.
Winnemucca scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Winnemucca leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fallon | Winnemucca |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 15 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 20.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fallon is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Winnemucca.
From a growth perspective, Fallon 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 | Fallon | Winnemucca |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,643 | 8,431 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.76% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 36.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 5.20% |
| 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.
Winnemucca
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain significantly lower than the national average.
Abundant outdoor recreation opportunities including hiking, hunting, and nearby hot springs.
Low crime rates and a strong sense of community safety across neighborhoods.
Steady local economy driven by robust mining and agricultural operations in Humboldt County.
Minimal traffic congestion and an easy, stress-free daily commute.
Drawbacks
Geographic isolation means specialized shopping and medical care require traveling to Reno.
Extreme summer high temperatures and cold winter conditions can test unprepared residents.
Limited public transportation infrastructure makes owning a car mandatory.
Economic sectors are heavily tied to natural resources, exposing the area to commodity market cycles.
Limited high-end dining, cultural entertainment, and nightlife options within city limits.
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
Winnemucca
#205Nevada, USA
63.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
321/yr
Avg Temp
53.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
72
Business
65
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