City Comparison
Cafayate vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Cafayate scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Cafayate
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cafayate is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
58% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Cafayate's average rent is
66% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Cafayate | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $500 | $1,450 | -66% |
| Groceries | $300 | $450 | -33% |
| Utilities | $90 | $400 | -78% |
| Transport | $70 | $120 | -42% |
| Healthcare | $120 | $150 | -20% |
| Monthly Total | $1,080 | $2,570 | -58% |
| Cost Index | 45 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 85% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Grants Pass delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Cafayate is estimated at
$12,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Cafayate | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $9,500 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $12,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 21,111 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $14,000 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Cafayate runs warmer on average — a 65.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Cafayate comes out ahead with 286 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Cafayate sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Cafayate | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 67.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 63.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 28.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 286 | |
| Humidity | 50.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cafayate has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Grants Pass.
Cafayate scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Cafayate leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Cafayate | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 85.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 20.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Low | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Cafayate.
From a growth perspective, Cafayate is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Grants Pass has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Cafayate | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 15,000 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 36.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 6.50% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Cafayate
Advantages
World-class high-altitude wine culture centered on distinct Torrontés vineyards
Stunning natural scenery surrounded by dramatic red-rock formations of the Calchaquí Valleys
Exceptional year-round sunshine with an average of 286 sunny days annually
Very low crime rates and a peaceful, secure small-town environment
Affordable local cost of living compared to major global and national urban centers
Drawbacks
Limited local job market heavily dependent on tourism and seasonal agriculture
Geographic isolation requires traveling several hours to major cities for specialized healthcare
Higher prices for imported goods and specialized technical services
Public transportation options beyond the immediate town center are limited
Summer heat during midday can be intense, requiring structural adaptation
Grants Pass
Advantages
Access to world-class outdoor recreation on the Rogue River, including rafting and fishing.
More sunny days and a warmer, drier climate compared to much of western Oregon.
Housing is comparatively more affordable than larger West Coast cities and some other Oregon metros.
A growing arts and food scene in a walkable, historic downtown.
Friendly community atmosphere appealing to families and retirees.
Drawbacks
Overall crime rate is significantly higher than the national average, particularly due to property crime.
Limited high-wage job opportunities compared to larger economic centers.
Air quality can be impacted by wildfire smoke during certain seasons.
Presence of a significant homeless population in the downtown core.
High car dependency due to minimal public transportation options.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Cafayate
#43Salta, Argentina
73.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$500
Avg Salary
$9,500
Cost Index
45
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
85.0/100
Sunny Days
286/yr
Avg Temp
65.80°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
6.50%
Livability
79
Business
62
Grants Pass
#584Oregon, USA
45.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$64,331
Cost Index
112
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
27.0/100
Walkability
40.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
5.60%
Livability
70
Business
60
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