Performance
Score Breakdown
Phoenix
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 Phoenix.
| Metric | Phoenix | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,492 | $1,450 | +3% |
| Groceries | $426 | $450 | -5% |
| Utilities | $391 | $400 | -2% |
| Transport | $64 | $120 | -47% |
| Healthcare | $380 | $150 | +153% |
| Monthly Total | $2,753 | $2,570 | +7% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 23% 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 Phoenix is estimated at
$52,974 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Phoenix | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $49,356 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $52,974 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 47,006 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $81,332 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Phoenix | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 14.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Phoenix.
Phoenix scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Phoenix leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Phoenix | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/10 | 27.0/10 |
| Walkability | 41.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 31.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Phoenix is the larger city
— approximately 41.9x 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, Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Phoenix | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,677,947 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.75% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 5.60% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Phoenix
Advantages
Phoenix's job market is projected to grow by 0.7% in 2026, outpacing many other regions.
The city ranks as the No. 7 most supportive city in the U.S. for small businesses as of April 2026.
Healthcare costs in Phoenix are 4% lower than the national average.
The average one-way commute time in Phoenix is 26 minutes, slightly less than the U.S. average.
Phoenix experiences abundant sunshine, averaging over 300 days per year.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Phoenix is 5% higher than the national average, primarily due to housing expenses.
Phoenix's overall crime rate, while below the national average, still faces challenges with property crimes like auto theft.
The city has a low walkability score of 41, indicating high car dependency for most errands.
Summers in Phoenix are extremely hot, with average July highs around 105°F.
Traffic congestion in Phoenix resulted in commuters losing 76 hours in 2024, higher than the national average.
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.
Phoenix
#49Arizona, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,492
Avg Salary
$49,356
Cost Index
105
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
42.0/10
Walkability
41.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.75%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
68
Business
75
Grants Pass
#64Oregon, USA
68.0 / 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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