City Comparison
La Barca vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
La Barca scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
La Barca
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
La Barca is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
71% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: La Barca's average rent is
76% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | La Barca | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $350 | $1,450 | -76% |
| Groceries | $200 | $450 | -56% |
| Utilities | $65 | $400 | -84% |
| Transport | $50 | $120 | -58% |
| Healthcare | $80 | $150 | -47% |
| Monthly Total | $745 | $2,570 | -71% |
| Cost Index | 38 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 89% 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 La Barca is estimated at
$6,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | La Barca | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $7,200 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $6,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 18,947 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $9,500 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
La Barca runs warmer on average — a 68.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, La Barca comes out ahead with 256 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — La Barca sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | La Barca | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 68.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 50.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 30.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 256 | |
| Humidity | 60.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to La Barca.
La Barca scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, La Barca leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | La Barca | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
La Barca is the larger city
— approximately 1.6x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, La Barca is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, La Barca has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | La Barca | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 65,000 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
La Barca
Advantages
Significantly lower cost of living and housing prices compared to major Mexican and US cities.
Rich cultural heritage, historic architecture, and vibrant community traditions.
Abundant sunshine and a pleasant year-round climate averaging over 250 sunny days.
Strategic location in Jalisco with accessible transport links to larger regional urban centers.
Authentic small-town lifestyle with strong local markets and community safety.
Drawbacks
Limited local high-tech and corporate job opportunities requiring commuting for specialized careers.
Advanced healthcare services require travel to larger nearby cities like Guadalajara.
Public transportation infrastructure is limited compared to major metropolitan areas.
Economic reliance on agriculture and localized trade can fluctuate with regional conditions.
Limited English proficiency among the general population may pose challenges for non-Spanish speakers.
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.
La Barca
#68Jalisco, Mexico
76.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$350
Avg Salary
$7,200
Cost Index
38
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
256/yr
Avg Temp
68.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
72
Business
60
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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