City Comparison
Virginia vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Virginia scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Virginia
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Virginia is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
67% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Virginia's average rent is
76% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Virginia | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $350 | $1,450 | -76% |
| Groceries | $200 | $450 | -56% |
| Utilities | $90 | $400 | -78% |
| Transport | $80 | $120 | -33% |
| Healthcare | $120 | $150 | -20% |
| Monthly Total | $840 | $2,570 | -67% |
| Cost Index | 45 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 85% 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 Virginia is estimated at
$8,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Virginia | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $9,500 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $8,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 21,111 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $8,500 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Virginia runs warmer on average — a 63.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Virginia comes out ahead with 276 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Virginia sees 0.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Virginia | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 66.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 62.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 26.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 276 | |
| Humidity | 58.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Virginia scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Virginia leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Virginia | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 55.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Virginia is the larger city
.
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 | Virginia | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 42,000 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.30% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 32.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 32.39% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Virginia
Advantages
Significantly lower housing costs and property prices compared to South African major metropolitan areas
Close-knit community atmosphere with active local neighborhood watch and civic organizations
Strategic location within the Free State goldfields and agricultural heartland
Low traffic congestion and straightforward daily commuting within the town
Rich industrial heritage and proximity to broader regional amenities in Welkom
Drawbacks
High national and regional unemployment rates impacting local economic mobility
Limited local job market diversification outside of traditional mining and agriculture
Reliance on neighboring towns for specialized healthcare and higher education facilities
Infrastructure and municipal service delivery challenges common to smaller regional municipalities
Property crime and security concerns requiring private mitigation measures
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.
Virginia
#51Free State, South Africa
50.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$350
Avg Salary
$9,500
Cost Index
45
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
276/yr
Avg Temp
63.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.30%
Unemployment
32.39%
Livability
52
Business
45
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Virginia and Grants Pass.
Open Cost Calculator