Ely, NV vs Tonopah, NV

Ely, NV and Tonopah, NV have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.4% difference in their overall index. Ely scores 78 while Tonopah scores 75 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Ely is $900/month compared to $845/month in Tonopah — a 7% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Tonopah is more affordable at $182,000 median vs $201,500.

Median household income in Ely is $86,389 compared to $37,922 in Tonopah (+127.8%). While Ely is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Ely spend roughly 12.5% of their income on rent, less than the 26.7% in Tonopah.

Climate-wise, Tonopah is notably warmer with an average of 52.9°F compared to 46.1°F in Ely. Ely receives more rainfall at 9.4" per year compared to 4.8" in Tonopah.