City Comparison
Fernley vs Yerington
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fernley scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fernley
Yerington
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Yerington is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
32% lower than in Fernley.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fernley's average rent is
50% higher than Yerington's.
| Metric | Fernley | Yerington | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,100 | +50% |
| Groceries | $420 | $380 | +11% |
| Utilities | $175 | $170 | +3% |
| Transport | $130 | $130 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,615 | $1,780 | +47% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fernley offers 23% 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 $45,000 in Yerington.
| Metric | Fernley | Yerington |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $54,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,306 idx | 56,522 idx |
| Household Income | $69,500 | $54,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.9°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Fernley sees 3.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fernley | Yerington |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.70°F | 57.60°F |
| Summer High | 90.00°F | 90.60°F |
| Winter Low | 30.20°F | 31.50°F |
| Rainfall | 7.70 in | 9.80 in |
| Snowfall | 11.90 in | 8.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 325 | 323 |
| Humidity | 35.00% | 35.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Yerington has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Fernley.
Fernley scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Yerington leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fernley | Yerington |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 40.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 25.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fernley is the larger city
— approximately 7.5x the population of Yerington.
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 | Fernley | Yerington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,377 | 3,100 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 42.5 |
| 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.
Yerington
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living are significantly lower than the national average and neighboring California.
Abundant sunshine with over 320 sunny days per year, ideal for outdoor recreation.
Low crime rates and a peaceful, secure small-town environment.
Strong sense of community with local traditions, rodeos, and family-friendly events.
Proximity to the Walker River and scenic public lands for fishing, hiking, and off-roading.
Drawbacks
Limited public transportation options, making a personal vehicle essential for daily life.
Smaller local job market with fewer corporate or specialized career opportunities.
Limited local dining, shopping, and entertainment compared to nearby urban centers like Reno.
Distance from major specialized healthcare facilities, requiring travel to larger cities for complex medical care.
Hot summer temperatures that frequently exceed 90°F.
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
Yerington
#291Nevada, USA
61.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
323/yr
Avg Temp
57.60°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
72
Business
64
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