City Comparison
Alpharetta vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Alpharetta scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Alpharetta
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grants Pass is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Alpharetta.
Housing costs are a major driver: Alpharetta's average rent is
28% higher than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Alpharetta | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,850 | $1,450 | +28% |
| Groceries | $460 | $450 | +2% |
| Utilities | $190 | $400 | -53% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $150 | +60% |
| Monthly Total | $2,870 | $2,570 | +12% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Alpharetta offers 32% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Alpharetta delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Alpharetta is estimated at
$65,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Alpharetta | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $85,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 72,034 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $135,000 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Alpharetta runs warmer on average — a 62.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Alpharetta comes out ahead with 234 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Alpharetta sees 3.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Alpharetta | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 62.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 86.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 34.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 42.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 3.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 234 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Alpharetta.
Alpharetta scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Alpharetta leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Alpharetta | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Alpharetta is the larger city
— approximately 1.6x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Alpharetta is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Alpharetta has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Alpharetta | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 65,860 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Alpharetta
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the safest cities in Georgia with violent crime rates well below the national average per FBI crime data.
Home to world-class public and private schools boasting high graduation rates and advanced academic programs.
Thriving technology and corporate job market offering high median salaries and strong career advancement opportunities.
Exceptional master-planned lifestyle hubs like Avalon and a revitalized historic downtown offering vibrant dining and shopping.
Extensive outdoor recreation infrastructure, including the Big Creek Greenway and the expanding Alpha Loop trail network.
Drawbacks
High cost of living and housing prices significantly exceed both state and national averages.
Heavy rush-hour traffic congestion along GA-400 and major arterial roadways during peak commuting hours.
High level of car dependency for daily errands outside of specific walkable districts like downtown and Avalon.
Competitive real estate market makes finding affordable housing challenging for entry-level buyers and renters.
Property taxes in North Fulton County reflect high municipal service levels, adding to overall homeowner expenses.
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.
Alpharetta
#94Georgia, USA
67.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,850
Avg Salary
$85,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
234/yr
Avg Temp
62.30°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
87
Business
86
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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