City Comparison
Fernley vs Mesquite
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Mesquite scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fernley
Mesquite
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mesquite is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
4% lower than in Fernley.
| Metric | Fernley | Mesquite | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,550 | +6% |
| Groceries | $420 | $420 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $130 | $130 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $240 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,615 | $2,515 | +4% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fernley offers 9% higher 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 Fernley is estimated at
$54,000 vs $52,000 in Mesquite.
| Metric | Fernley | Mesquite |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $58,500 |
| Salary Needed | $54,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,306 idx | 60,938 idx |
| Household Income | $69,500 | $64,200 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Mesquite runs warmer on average — a 14.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Mesquite comes out ahead with 10 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Fernley sees 11.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fernley | Mesquite |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.70°F | 71.20°F |
| Summer High | 90.00°F | 104.30°F |
| Winter Low | 30.20°F | 42.20°F |
| Rainfall | 7.70 in | 6.40 in |
| Snowfall | 11.90 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 325 | 335 |
| Humidity | 35.00% | 28.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Mesquite has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 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 | Fernley | Mesquite |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 22.0/100 |
| Walkability | 40.0/100 | 34.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 32.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Mesquite is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Mesquite is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Fernley has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fernley | Mesquite |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,377 | 23,800 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | 2.40% |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 57.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 5.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
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
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