City Comparison
Fernley vs Sparks
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fernley scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fernley
Sparks
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Fernley | Sparks | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,650 | 0% |
| Groceries | $420 | $420 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $130 | $130 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $240 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,615 | $2,615 | 0% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 104 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fernley offers 2% 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 $54,000 in Sparks.
| Metric | Fernley | Sparks |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $63,000 |
| Salary Needed | $54,000 | $54,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,306 idx | 60,577 idx |
| Household Income | $69,500 | $74,500 |
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 — Sparks sees 9.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fernley | Sparks |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 35.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Sparks has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Fernley.
Sparks scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Sparks leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fernley | Sparks |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 40.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 44.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Sparks is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Fernley.
From a growth perspective, Fernley is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Sparks has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fernley | Sparks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,377 | 108,400 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | 1.50% |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.30% |
| 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.
Sparks
Advantages
No state personal income tax in Nevada, providing significant financial savings for residents.
Abundant outdoor recreation centered around the Sparks Marina and proximity to Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada.
Over 300 days of annual sunshine, supporting an active outdoor lifestyle.
Strategic economic location along Interstate 80 with a booming logistics and industrial job market.
Family-friendly atmosphere featuring master-planned communities, parks, and low crime rates relative to major metros.
Drawbacks
Housing costs and rental rates have risen significantly over recent years due to high demand.
Car dependency is high, as public transit options are limited outside of core bus routes.
High-desert climate brings dry conditions, wildfire smoke risks in summer, and winter temperature swings.
Wages in some service and traditional sectors can lag behind the rising cost of living.
Pollen and desert dust can present challenges for seasonal allergy sufferers.
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
Sparks
#252Nevada, USA
62.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$63,000
Cost Index
104
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
308/yr
Avg Temp
54.20°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
75
Business
72
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