City Comparison
Fallon vs Wells
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Wells scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fallon
Wells
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Wells is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
42% lower than in Fallon.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fallon's average rent is
133% higher than Wells's.
| Metric | Fallon | Wells | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,353 | $580 | +133% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $200 | $180 | +11% |
| Transport | $450 | $120 | +275% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,653 | $1,530 | +73% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Wells offers 15% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Wells delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fallon is estimated at
$54,120 vs $55,000 in Wells.
| Metric | Fallon | Wells |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $55,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $54,120 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,922 idx | 67,708 idx |
| Household Income | $79,163 | $107,454 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Fallon runs warmer on average — a 57.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Fallon comes out ahead with 321 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Fallon sees 9.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fallon | Wells |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 92.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 27.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 6.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 9.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 321 | |
| Humidity | 42.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Fallon has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,500 minutes (108 hours) per year compared to Wells.
Wells scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Wells leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fallon | Wells |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 37 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/100 | 36.0/100 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 36.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fallon is the larger city
— approximately 7.1x the population of Wells.
From a growth perspective, Wells is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Wells has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fallon | Wells |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,643 | 1,352 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.76% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 36.7 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Wells
Advantages
Wells offers a cost of living that is 7% lower than the Nevada average and 4% lower than the national average, with housing costs being 18% lower than the national average.
The violent crime rate in Wells is 0.9 per 1,000 residents, which is 75% below the national average.
The median household income in Wells saw a significant increase of 41.5% from 2023 to 2024, reaching $107,454.
Wells is considered a buyer's market, indicating a favorable environment for those looking to purchase a home.
The town provides a sparse suburban feel with a strong sense of community, appealing to those seeking a quieter lifestyle.
Drawbacks
Public transit is not widely available, and the city has low walkability and transit scores, making car ownership essential.
The poverty rate in Wells is 21.3%, which is higher than the national average of 12.5%.
Specific data on the number of hospitals and comprehensive healthcare services in Wells is limited, potentially requiring travel to larger cities for specialized care.
While home prices have seen increases, some reports indicate a recent decrease in median property value.
The town's economy is concentrated in a few key industries, which could lead to vulnerability to sector-specific downturns.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Wells
#113Nevada, USA
66.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$580
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
37 min
Transit Score
36.0/100
Walkability
36.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
74
Business
68
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