City Comparison
Petersburg vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Petersburg scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Petersburg
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grants Pass is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
7% higher compared to Petersburg.
Housing costs are a major driver: Petersburg's average rent is
19% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Petersburg | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,174 | $1,450 | -19% |
| Groceries | $320 | $450 | -29% |
| Utilities | $336 | $400 | -16% |
| Transport | $640 | $120 | +433% |
| Healthcare | $290 | $150 | +93% |
| Monthly Total | $2,760 | $2,570 | +7% |
| Cost Index | 80 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Petersburg offers 1% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Petersburg delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Petersburg is estimated at
$33,300 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Petersburg | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $33,300 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 81,250 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $50,698 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Petersburg runs warmer on average — a 59.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Petersburg comes out ahead with 250 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Petersburg sees 15.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Petersburg | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 59.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 86.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 30.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 46.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 15.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 250 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Petersburg.
Petersburg scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Grants Pass leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Petersburg | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/10 | 27.0/10 |
| Walkability | 30.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Petersburg.
From a growth perspective, Grants Pass is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Petersburg has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Petersburg | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,892 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.47% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.00% | 5.60% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Petersburg
Advantages
Petersburg offers a significantly affordable cost of living, with a cost of living index of 80.2 in 2025, making it more affordable than the national average.
Housing expenses in Petersburg are approximately 45% lower than the national average, presenting a strong advantage for residents.
The city benefits from a strategic location at the intersection of major interstates I-85 and I-95, providing excellent regional connectivity.
Petersburg is developing an Advanced Manufacturing Pharmaceutical cluster, indicating growth in specific business sectors.
Petersburg Area Transit (PAT) currently offers fare-free bus service, enhancing accessibility for residents.
Drawbacks
Petersburg has high crime rates, ranking as the 8th most dangerous city in Virginia with violent crime rates 120.1% higher than the national average in 2025.
The city faces persistent financial instability, with a Medium article in March 2025 highlighting renewed challenges and a risk of municipal bankruptcy.
The median household income of $50,698 in 2024 is considerably lower than both the state and national averages.
Limited job opportunities outside specific sectors and a high poverty rate (21.7% in 2024) pose economic challenges for residents.
Schools in Petersburg are noted to be in need of improvement, impacting educational quality.
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.
Petersburg
#127Virginia, USA
50.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,174
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
80
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
30.0/10
Sunny Days
250/yr
Avg Temp
59.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.47%
Unemployment
5.00%
Livability
50
Business
60
Grants Pass
#133Oregon, USA
49.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$64,331
Cost Index
112
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
27.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
5.60%
Livability
70
Business
60
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