City Comparison
Carrara vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Carrara scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Carrara
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Carrara is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
38% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Carrara's average rent is
41% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Carrara | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,450 | -41% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $170 | $400 | -58% |
| Transport | $85 | $120 | -29% |
| Healthcare | $120 | $150 | -20% |
| Monthly Total | $1,605 | $2,570 | -38% |
| Cost Index | 78 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 55% 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 Carrara is estimated at
$24,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Carrara | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $29,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $24,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 37,179 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $31,500 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Carrara runs warmer on average — a 59.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Carrara comes out ahead with 233 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Carrara sees 0.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Carrara | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 59.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 42.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 75.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 233 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Carrara.
Carrara scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Carrara leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Carrara | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Carrara is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x 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, Grants Pass has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Carrara | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,273 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 48.5 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 7.80% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Carrara
Advantages
World-renowned cultural heritage and artistic history as the global capital of marble
Stunning geographic location bridging the Apuan Alps and the Mediterranean coastline
Significantly more affordable cost of living and housing compared to Florence or Lucca
Exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities including mountain hiking and beach access
Strong sense of community safety and relaxed Tuscan pace of life
Drawbacks
Local economy remains heavily tied to traditional industries with limited corporate diversification
Public transit outside of main rail and bus lines makes car ownership necessary
Summer tourism creates seasonal traffic congestion in coastal districts like Marina di Carrara
Limited high-tech or corporate white-collar job market locally
Some historic properties require significant renovation investment
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.
Carrara
#93Tuscany, Italy
62.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$29,000
Cost Index
78
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
233/yr
Avg Temp
59.90°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
7.80%
Livability
78
Business
64
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 Carrara and Grants Pass.
Open Cost Calculator