City Comparison
Melfi vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Melfi scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Melfi
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Melfi is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
47% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Melfi's average rent is
55% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Melfi | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $650 | $1,450 | -55% |
| Groceries | $350 | $450 | -22% |
| Utilities | $160 | $400 | -60% |
| Transport | $85 | $120 | -29% |
| Healthcare | $120 | $150 | -20% |
| Monthly Total | $1,365 | $2,570 | -47% |
| Cost Index | 72 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 56% 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 Melfi is estimated at
$24,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Melfi | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $28,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $24,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 38,889 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $29,000 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Melfi runs warmer on average — a 59.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Melfi comes out ahead with 268 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Melfi sees 10.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Melfi | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 59.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 38.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 30.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 10.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 268 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Melfi.
Melfi scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Melfi leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Melfi | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Melfi.
From a growth perspective, Grants Pass 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 | Melfi | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,500 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 44.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 9.50% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Melfi
Advantages
Significantly lower housing costs and overall cost of living compared to northern Italian cities.
Rich historical heritage highlighted by the iconic Norman-Swabian Castle and Mount Vulture landscapes.
Extremely low crime rates and a secure, family-friendly community environment.
Strong local economy anchored by major automotive manufacturing and supportive industrial supply chains.
Profound access to outdoor recreation, including hiking trails, volcanic lakes, and regional nature reserves.
Drawbacks
High reliance on personal vehicles due to limited public transit options across the mountainous terrain.
Economy is heavily dependent on a single major industrial sector (automotive manufacturing).
Limited high-end cultural nightlife and entertainment venues compared to larger metropolitan hubs.
Youth outmigration trends impact broader demographic growth and local service expansion.
Specialized medical care requires travel to larger regional hospitals outside the immediate municipality.
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.
Melfi
#72Basilicata, Italy
64.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$650
Avg Salary
$28,000
Cost Index
72
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
268/yr
Avg Temp
59.10°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
9.50%
Livability
75
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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