City Comparison
Apple Valley vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Apple Valley scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Apple Valley
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grants Pass is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in Apple Valley.
Housing costs are a major driver: Apple Valley's average rent is
14% higher than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Apple Valley | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,450 | +14% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $400 | -56% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $150 | +60% |
| Monthly Total | $2,615 | $2,570 | +2% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Apple Valley offers 12% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Apple Valley delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Apple Valley is estimated at
$58,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Apple Valley | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $104,500 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Apple Valley runs warmer on average — a 46.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Apple Valley comes out ahead with 256 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Apple Valley sees 32.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Apple Valley | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 46.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 7.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 42.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 32.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 256 | |
| Humidity | 66.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Apple Valley.
Apple Valley scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Grants Pass leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Apple Valley | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 38.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Apple Valley is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x 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, Apple Valley has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Apple Valley | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 56,389 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Apple Valley
Advantages
Median household income exceeds $104,000, supporting a strong local economy per Census Bureau data (2024).
Consistently low crime rates make Apple Valley one of the safest suburbs in the Twin Cities metro area.
Home to the nationally renowned Minnesota Zoo, offering exceptional family entertainment locally.
Over 50 municipal parks and extensive trail networks provide outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities.
Highly rated local school district (ISD 196) attracts families seeking top-tier education.
Drawbacks
High housing costs and competitive real estate market limit affordability for first-time buyers per Zillow (2025).
Significant car dependency with limited public transit options outside of peak commuter bus routes.
Cold winter temperatures with frequent snowfall require high winter maintenance and heating costs.
Property taxes in Dakota County can be relatively high compared to national averages.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options within city limits require travel to Minneapolis or St. Paul.
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.
Apple Valley
#131Minnesota, USA
65.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
38.0/100
Sunny Days
256/yr
Avg Temp
46.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
80
Business
70
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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