City Comparison
Winnemucca vs Fernley
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fernley scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Winnemucca
Fernley
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Winnemucca is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
24% lower than in Fernley.
Housing costs are a major driver: Winnemucca's average rent is
33% lower than Fernley's.
| Metric | Winnemucca | Fernley | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $1,650 | -33% |
| Groceries | $380 | $420 | -10% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $130 | -15% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $240 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $1,985 | $2,615 | -24% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fernley offers 9% 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 Winnemucca is estimated at
$48,000 vs $54,000 in Fernley.
| Metric | Winnemucca | Fernley |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $64,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $54,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,043 idx | 65,306 idx |
| Household Income | $68,500 | $69,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.8°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Winnemucca sees 7.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Winnemucca | Fernley |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.90°F | 56.70°F |
| Summer High | 87.80°F | 90.00°F |
| Winter Low | 27.30°F | 30.20°F |
| Rainfall | 9.70 in | 7.70 in |
| Snowfall | 19.50 in | 11.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 321 | 325 |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 35.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Winnemucca has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,500 minutes (108 hours) per year compared to Fernley.
For walkability, Winnemucca leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Winnemucca | Fernley |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 20.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fernley is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Winnemucca.
From a growth perspective, Fernley 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 | Winnemucca | Fernley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,431 | 23,377 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 1.80% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 39.2 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 4.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Winnemucca and Fernley.
Open Cost Calculator