City Comparison
Flagstaff vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Flagstaff scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Flagstaff
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grants Pass is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
16% lower than in Flagstaff.
Housing costs are a major driver: Flagstaff's average rent is
46% higher than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Flagstaff | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,119 | $1,450 | +46% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $237 | $400 | -41% |
| Transport | $90 | $120 | -25% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $3,076 | $2,570 | +20% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 5% 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 Flagstaff is estimated at
$58,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Flagstaff | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,250 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 51,907 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $71,512 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Flagstaff runs warmer on average — a 52°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Flagstaff comes out ahead with 296 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Flagstaff sees 40.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Flagstaff | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 28.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 16.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 40.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 296 | |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Flagstaff scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Flagstaff leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Flagstaff | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Flagstaff is the larger city
— approximately 1.9x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Grants Pass is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Flagstaff has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Flagstaff | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,445 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.86% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 25.9 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.10% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Flagstaff
Advantages
Median property value in Flagstaff is supported by strong long-term real estate demand, appreciating steadily over recent years.
Over 52% of adult residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, creating an educated, intellectually engaged community.
Exceptional outdoor recreation access, featuring 296 sunny days per year and proximity to national forests and the Grand Canyon.
Thriving local craft beer, coffee, and independent culinary scene anchored by a historic, pedestrian-friendly downtown.
Robust local healthcare sector anchored by Flagstaff Medical Center, providing high-tier regional medical services.
Drawbacks
Average monthly rent exceeds $2,000, creating severe affordability challenges for service workers and renters.
Severe housing inventory constraints driven by strict environmental boundaries and geographic limits on urban expansion.
Heavy winter snowfalls (averaging over 40 inches annually) can create seasonal commuting hurdles and elevated utility heating costs.
Poverty rate sits notably higher than state or national averages due to a large student population earning minimal part-time wages.
Local wages often lag behind the high cost of living compared to larger metropolitan economic hubs in Arizona.
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.
Flagstaff
#475Arizona, USA
54.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,119
Avg Salary
$61,250
Cost Index
118
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
296/yr
Avg Temp
52.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.86%
Unemployment
5.10%
Livability
79
Business
70
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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