City Comparison
Buckeye vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Buckeye scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Buckeye
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grants Pass is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
14% lower than in Buckeye.
Housing costs are a major driver: Buckeye's average rent is
34% higher than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Buckeye | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,450 | +34% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $210 | $400 | -48% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $2,990 | $2,570 | +16% |
| Cost Index | 103 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Buckeye offers 6% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Buckeye delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Buckeye is estimated at
$60,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Buckeye | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,019 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $99,486 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Buckeye runs warmer on average — a 75.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Buckeye comes out ahead with 328 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Buckeye sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Buckeye | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 75.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 106.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 47.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 10.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 328 | |
| Humidity | 28.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,500 minutes (108 hours) per year compared to Buckeye.
Buckeye scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Buckeye leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Buckeye | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 32.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Buckeye is the larger city
— approximately 3.1x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Buckeye is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Buckeye has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Buckeye | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,445 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 4.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Buckeye
Advantages
Rapid population and economic growth momentum, ranked among the fastest-growing cities in the U.S.
More affordable housing options and larger home sizes compared to core Phoenix and Scottsdale markets
Abundant outdoor recreation access, highlighted by the White Tank Mountain Regional Park
Master-planned communities like Verrado offering high walkability, community events, and modern amenities
Low crime rates and a family-oriented suburban safety profile
Drawbacks
High car dependency and long commuter drive times for residents working in central Phoenix
Extreme summer temperatures exceeding 106°F that elevate seasonal utility and cooling costs
Limited public transportation infrastructure within the city's massive geographic footprint
Ongoing construction disruption and infrastructure strain due to rapid suburban expansion
Higher HOA fees and property valuations associated with newer master-planned developments
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.
Buckeye
#64Arizona, USA
69.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
32.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
328/yr
Avg Temp
75.70°F
Pop. Growth
4.80%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
76
Business
72
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 Buckeye and Grants Pass.
Open Cost Calculator