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Agua Prieta vs Grants Pass

Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.

Sonora, Mexico
View Agua Prieta profile
#90 in Mexico
75
Overall Score
VS
Oregon, USA
View Grants Pass profile
#584 in USA
45
Overall Score
Agua Prieta scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Agua Prieta
Grants Pass
Livability
64
70
Affordability
82
65
Business
65
60
Growth
66
62

Cost of Living

Agua Prieta is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about 66% lower than in Grants Pass. Housing costs are a major driver: Agua Prieta's average rent is 76% lower than Grants Pass's.
MetricAgua PrietaGrants PassDiff
Average Rent
$350$1,450-76%
Groceries
$250$450-44%
Utilities
$120$400-70%
Transport
$70$120-42%
Healthcare
$80$150-47%
Monthly Total
$870$2,570-66%
Cost Index
42112out of 100

Salary & Income

Grants Pass offers 89% 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 Agua Prieta is estimated at $6,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
MetricAgua PrietaGrants Pass
Average Salary
$7,200$64,331
Salary Needed
$6,000$58,000
Purchasing Power
17,143 idx57,438 idx
Household Income
$9,500$59,646

Climate Comparison

Agua Prieta runs warmer on average — a 67.4°F difference year-round. For sunshine, Agua Prieta comes out ahead with 326 more sunny days per year, which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle. Winter severity differs too — Agua Prieta sees 1 more inches of snowfall annually.
MetricAgua PrietaGrants Pass
Avg Temp
67.40°F°F
Summer High
93.90°F°F
Winter Low
41.40°F°F
Rainfall
9.90 in in
Snowfall
1.00 in in
Sunny Days
326
Humidity
35.00%74.00%

Commute & Transport

Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other. Agua Prieta scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living. For walkability, Agua Prieta leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
MetricAgua PrietaGrants Pass
Commute Time
20 min18 min
Transit Score
45.0/10027.0/100
Walkability
55.0/10040.0/100
Traffic Index
40.00
Car Dependency
MediumHigh

Economy & Demographics

Agua Prieta is the larger city — approximately 2.3x the population of Grants Pass. From a growth perspective, Agua Prieta is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services. On the employment side, Agua Prieta has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
MetricAgua PrietaGrants Pass
Population
91,82940,051
Pop. Growth
1.10%0.90%
Median Age
29.040.8
Unemployment
3.20%5.60%
GDP
——

Pros & Cons

Agua Prieta
Advantages
Strategic border location directly adjacent to Douglas, Arizona, facilitating cross-border commerce and travel.
Significantly lower cost of living and housing expenses compared to U.S. border towns.
Robust manufacturing and maquiladora sector providing steady local employment opportunities.
Rich local Sonoran culture, cuisine, and an active community life centered around traditional plazas.
Accessible real estate market for both renters and prospective home buyers.
Drawbacks
Security dynamics fluctuate due to regional border-region cartel activity and law enforcement challenges.
Extreme summer temperatures increase electricity and cooling costs significantly.
Heavy traffic congestion around the international port of entry during peak commute hours.
Limited availability of advanced specialty healthcare facilities within the city limits.
Reliance on the manufacturing sector can make the local economy vulnerable to broader international trade shifts.
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.

Dive Deeper

Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.

Agua Prieta
#90
Sonora, Mexico
75.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$350
Avg Salary
$7,200
Cost Index
42
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
326/yr
Avg Temp
67.40°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
64
Business
65
View Full Profile
Grants Pass
#584
Oregon, 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
View Full Profile

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