City Comparison
Santa Rosa vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Santa Rosa scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Santa Rosa
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Santa Rosa is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
61% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Santa Rosa's average rent is
66% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Santa Rosa | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $490 | $1,450 | -66% |
| Groceries | $186 | $450 | -59% |
| Utilities | $120 | $400 | -70% |
| Transport | $100 | $120 | -17% |
| Healthcare | $100 | $150 | -33% |
| Monthly Total | $996 | $2,570 | -61% |
| Cost Index | 35 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 87% 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 Santa Rosa is estimated at
$20,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Santa Rosa | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $8,448 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $20,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 24,137 idx | 57,438 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Santa Rosa runs warmer on average — a 62.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Santa Rosa comes out ahead with 293 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Santa Rosa sees 0.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Santa Rosa | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 62.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 59.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 65.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 30.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 293 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Santa Rosa scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Santa Rosa leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Santa Rosa | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 50.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Santa Rosa is the larger city
— approximately 3.1x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Santa Rosa 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 | Santa Rosa | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 123,259 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.99% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 6.70% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Santa Rosa
Advantages
Santa Rosa is generally considered a safe city with low insecurity.
The city offers a relaxed pace of life and a welcoming atmosphere.
The cost of living in Santa Rosa is relatively affordable compared to many global cities.
There is good access to green spaces and recreational areas, including Laguna Don Tomás.
The city has an efficient bus system and is pedestrian-friendly in its center.
Drawbacks
Specific median household income data for Santa Rosa, La Pampa, from 2024 or later is not readily available.
While public transport exists, the city's sprawl can limit walkability for longer distances.
The job market, while stable in some sectors, has seen an increase in the unemployment rate in recent quarters.
Tourism is an underdeveloped activity in La Pampa Province.
Some specific cost breakdowns for daily expenses are difficult to find with recent, reliable data.
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.
Santa Rosa
#81La Pampa, Argentina
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$490
Avg Salary
$8,448
Cost Index
35
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
50.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
293/yr
Avg Temp
62.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.99%
Unemployment
6.70%
Livability
70
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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