City Comparison
Charlottesville vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Charlottesville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Charlottesville
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grants Pass is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Charlottesville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Charlottesville's average rent is
21% higher than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Charlottesville | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,450 | +21% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $400 | -56% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $150 | +60% |
| Monthly Total | $2,695 | $2,570 | +5% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Charlottesville offers 6% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Charlottesville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Charlottesville is estimated at
$58,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Charlottesville | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,762 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $78,500 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Charlottesville runs warmer on average — a 57.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Charlottesville comes out ahead with 264 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Charlottesville sees 18.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Charlottesville | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 26.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 33.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 18.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 264 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Charlottesville.
Charlottesville scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Charlottesville leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Charlottesville | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Charlottesville is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x 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, Charlottesville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Charlottesville | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,214 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Charlottesville
Advantages
UVA Health and the University of Virginia provide world-class employment, education, and healthcare access
Exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities with immediate proximity to the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah National Park
Vibrant culinary and arts scene anchored by the pedestrian-friendly historic Downtown Mall
Strong local economy with robust job stability and a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem
Highly educated and culturally engaged community with a rich historical heritage
Drawbacks
Housing and rental costs are significantly higher than the national average and surrounding rural counties
Peak-hour traffic congestion along major corridors like Route 29 can be frustrating for commuters
Competitive rental market driven by the annual influx of University of Virginia students
Limited public transit options for commuting from outlying suburban or rural areas
Property taxes and local cost of living indices trend higher than the broader state average
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.
Charlottesville
#256Virginia, USA
62.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
105
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
264/yr
Avg Temp
57.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
2.80%
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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