City Comparison
Carson City vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Carson City scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Carson City
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 Carson City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Carson City's average rent is
41% higher than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Carson City | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,050 | $1,450 | +41% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $400 | -55% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $2,980 | $2,570 | +16% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Carson City offers 6% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Carson City delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Carson City is estimated at
$58,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Carson City | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $72,355 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Carson City runs warmer on average — a 54°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Carson City comes out ahead with 306 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Carson City sees 56.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Carson City | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 86.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 28.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 18.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 56.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 306 | |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Carson City.
Carson City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Carson City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Carson City | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Carson City 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, Carson City has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Carson City | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,571 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 42.4 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Carson City
Advantages
Median home value remains competitive compared to neighboring California and major Nevada metro areas like Reno and Las Vegas per Zillow 2026 data.
Zero state personal income tax provides significant financial relief for workers and retirees alike.
Exceptional proximity to Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada mountains offers world-class outdoor recreation year-round.
A stable local economy anchored by state government administration and healthcare employment.
Abundant sunshine averaging over 300 sunny days per year supports an active, outdoor-oriented lifestyle.
Drawbacks
Housing inventory is tight, with home prices and rental rates rising faster than local wage growth.
Public transportation options are limited, making automobile ownership virtually mandatory for daily commuting.
Winter weather brings periodic snowfall and freezing temperatures requiring winter driving preparedness.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options compared to larger metropolitan areas like Reno or Sacramento.
Higher elevation and dry climate conditions can pose challenges for individuals sensitive to seasonal allergens or altitude.
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.
Carson City
#335Nevada, USA
60.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,050
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
306/yr
Avg Temp
54.00°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
77
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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