City Comparison
Mesquite vs Wells
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Wells scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Mesquite
Wells
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Wells is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
39% lower than in Mesquite.
Housing costs are a major driver: Mesquite's average rent is
167% higher than Wells's.
| Metric | Mesquite | Wells | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,550 | $580 | +167% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,515 | $1,530 | +64% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Wells offers 10% 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 Mesquite is estimated at
$52,000 vs $55,000 in Wells.
| Metric | Mesquite | Wells |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,500 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,938 idx | 67,708 idx |
| Household Income | $64,200 | $107,454 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Mesquite runs warmer on average — a 71.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Mesquite comes out ahead with 335 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Mesquite sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Mesquite | Wells |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 71.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 104.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 42.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 6.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 335 | |
| Humidity | 28.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Mesquite has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
10,500 minutes (175 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 | Mesquite | Wells |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 16 min | 37 min |
| Transit Score | 22.0/100 | 36.0/100 |
| Walkability | 34.0/100 | 36.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Mesquite is the larger city
— approximately 17.6x the population of Wells.
From a growth perspective, Mesquite 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 | Mesquite | Wells |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,800 | 1,352 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.40% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 57.2 | 36.7 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Mesquite
Advantages
Nevada has no state personal income tax, maximizing take-home pay and retirement income per Census Bureau data.
Mesquite features 335 days of sunshine annually, ideal for outdoor activities and golf enthusiasts.
Property crime rates remain significantly lower than the national average, per FBI crime data.
Median home prices in Mesquite remain more affordable compared to neighboring metropolitan areas like Las Vegas and Salt Lake City.
Proximity to world-class natural attractions, including Zion National Park and the Virgin River Gorge.
Drawbacks
Extreme summer temperatures frequently exceed 100°F, restricting midday outdoor activity from June through August.
The local economy is heavily dependent on hospitality and tourism, limiting career diversity for non-hospitality professionals.
Public transportation is virtually nonexistent, making a car an absolute necessity for all daily activities.
Specialized medical care requires travel to Las Vegas or St. George, Utah, for advanced treatments.
Rapid population growth has put upward pressure on housing inventory and rental availability per Zillow housing market reports.
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.
Mesquite
#153Nevada, USA
65.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,550
Avg Salary
$58,500
Cost Index
96
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
22.0/100
Walkability
34.0/100
Sunny Days
335/yr
Avg Temp
71.20°F
Pop. Growth
2.40%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
75
Business
67
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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