City Comparison
Fernley vs Reno
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fernley scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fernley
Reno
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Reno is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Fernley.
| Metric | Fernley | Reno | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,650 | 0% |
| Groceries | $420 | $420 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $130 | $115 | +13% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $240 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,615 | $2,600 | +1% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 104 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Reno offers 4% 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 Fernley is estimated at
$54,000 vs $58,000 in Reno.
| Metric | Fernley | Reno |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $67,000 |
| Salary Needed | $54,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,306 idx | 64,423 idx |
| Household Income | $69,500 | $76,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.5°F of each other.
For sunshine, Fernley comes out ahead with 17 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Reno sees 9.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fernley | Reno |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.70°F | 54.20°F |
| Summer High | 90.00°F | 88.20°F |
| Winter Low | 30.20°F | 28.10°F |
| Rainfall | 7.70 in | 18.70 in |
| Snowfall | 11.90 in | 21.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 325 | 308 |
| Humidity | 35.00% | 38.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Reno has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Fernley.
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 | Fernley | Reno |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 40.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Reno is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Fernley.
From a growth perspective, Fernley is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Fernley | Reno |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,377 | 270,631 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | 1.40% |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.50% |
| 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.
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.
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
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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