City Comparison
Sparks vs Fallon
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Sparks scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Sparks
Fallon
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Sparks is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Fallon.
Housing costs are a major driver: Sparks's average rent is
22% higher than Fallon's.
| Metric | Sparks | Fallon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,353 | +22% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $200 | -13% |
| Transport | $130 | $450 | -71% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,615 | $2,653 | -1% |
| Cost Index | 104 | 102 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Sparks offers 15% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Sparks delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Sparks is estimated at
$54,000 vs $54,120 in Fallon.
| Metric | Sparks | Fallon |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $63,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $54,000 | $54,120 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,577 idx | 53,922 idx |
| Household Income | $74,500 | $79,163 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 3°F of each other.
For sunshine, Fallon comes out ahead with 13 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Sparks sees 12.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Sparks | Fallon |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.20°F | 57.20°F |
| Summer High | 88.20°F | 92.40°F |
| Winter Low | 28.10°F | 27.50°F |
| Rainfall | 18.70 in | 6.90 in |
| Snowfall | 21.30 in | 9.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 308 | 321 |
| Humidity | 35.00% | 42.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
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 | Sparks | Fallon |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Sparks is the larger city
— approximately 11.2x the population of Fallon.
From a growth perspective, Sparks 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 | Sparks | Fallon |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 108,400 | 9,643 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.76% |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 35.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Fallon
Advantages
Fallon's crime rates are significantly lower than the national average, with total crime 36% lower, violent crime 42.3% lower, and property crime 34.7% lower in 2024.
The average rent in Fallon is $1,353 per month as of October 2026, which is generally more affordable than many other areas in Nevada.
The city enjoys approximately 321 sunny days per year, providing ample opportunities for outdoor activities.
Fallon offers a small-town community feel with a slower pace of life, appealing to those seeking a close-knit environment.
Housing costs in Fallon are considerably lower than in larger Northern Nevada cities like Reno, making homeownership more accessible.
Drawbacks
Fallon's employment experienced a decline of -1.74% from 2023 to 2024, indicating a challenging job growth environment.
The city is highly car-dependent, with 75.8% of workers driving alone to work in 2024, and limited public transit options.
Despite some affordable housing, the overall cost of living in Fallon is slightly higher than the national average, with a cost index of 102 in 2026.
Healthcare access is primarily centered around one 25-bed hospital, which may limit specialized medical services locally.
Dining and entertainment options are more limited compared to larger metropolitan areas, which might not appeal to everyone.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Fallon
#343Nevada, USA
60.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,353
Avg Salary
$55,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
30.0/100
Sunny Days
321/yr
Avg Temp
57.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.76%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
70
Business
55
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