City Comparison
Ensenada vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Ensenada scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Ensenada
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ensenada is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
61% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Ensenada's average rent is
62% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Ensenada | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $547 | $1,450 | -62% |
| Groceries | $250 | $450 | -44% |
| Utilities | $110 | $400 | -73% |
| Transport | $95 | $120 | -21% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $150 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,002 | $2,570 | -61% |
| Cost Index | 70 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 79% 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 Ensenada is estimated at
$20,652 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Ensenada | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $13,314 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $20,652 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 19,020 idx | 57,438 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Ensenada runs warmer on average — a 62.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Ensenada comes out ahead with 327 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Ensenada sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Ensenada | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 62.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 73.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 49.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 10.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 327 | |
| Humidity | 81.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Ensenada.
Ensenada scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Ensenada leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Ensenada | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 70.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Ensenada is the larger city
— approximately 9.2x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Ensenada is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Ensenada has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Ensenada | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 368,000 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.68% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 40.8 | |
| Unemployment | 2.70% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Ensenada
Advantages
Ensenada offers a significantly lower cost of living compared to Southern California, with affordable rent and daily expenses [2, 14].
The city boasts a world-class culinary scene, particularly renowned for its fresh seafood and as the birthplace of the fish taco [5, 14].
Its location provides a mild Mediterranean climate and proximity to the Pacific Ocean, ideal for outdoor activities and a relaxed lifestyle [6, 37].
Ensenada is a gateway to the Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico's premier wine region, offering extensive wine tasting and culinary experiences [5, 6, 37].
The city has a growing expat community and a welcoming, often bilingual, local population, facilitating integration for newcomers [4, 14, 31, 37].
Drawbacks
Infrastructure, particularly roads and traffic management, has not fully kept pace with the city's growth, leading to congestion and potholes [2, 10].
While generally safe in tourist areas, the state of Baja California has a Level 3 travel advisory, and localized crime, though not typically targeting tourists, requires awareness [16, 17].
Salaries in Ensenada can be considerably lower than in the U.S., making a comfortable lifestyle challenging for locals on average wages [2, 8].
Baja California faces water resource availability challenges, which can occasionally lead to supply interruptions for residents [14].
The city's character as a working port and industrial center means it may appear less manicured than some resort destinations, requiring a pragmatic approach to security and infrastructure [16, 23].
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.
Ensenada
#98Baja California, Mexico
74.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$547
Avg Salary
$13,314
Cost Index
70
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
70.0/100
Sunny Days
327/yr
Avg Temp
62.50°F
Pop. Growth
1.68%
Unemployment
2.70%
Livability
72
Business
68
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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