City Comparison
Compostela vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Compostela scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Compostela
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Compostela is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
61% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Compostela's average rent is
62% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Compostela | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $550 | $1,450 | -62% |
| Groceries | $250 | $450 | -44% |
| Utilities | $65 | $400 | -84% |
| Transport | $50 | $120 | -58% |
| Healthcare | $80 | $150 | -47% |
| Monthly Total | $995 | $2,570 | -61% |
| Cost Index | 42 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 85% 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 Compostela is estimated at
$8,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Compostela | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $9,500 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $8,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 22,619 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $11,500 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Compostela runs warmer on average — a 71.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Compostela comes out ahead with 221 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Compostela sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Compostela | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 71.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 55.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 55.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 221 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Compostela.
Compostela scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Compostela leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Compostela | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Compostela is the larger city
— approximately 1.9x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Compostela is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Compostela has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Compostela | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 75,000 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Compostela
Advantages
Significantly lower cost of living compared to major U.S. and Canadian cities, especially for local produce and services.
Proximity to both the Pacific coastline (Rincón de Guayabitos) and the scenic Sierra de Vallejo mountains.
Rich colonial history and authentic cultural atmosphere with traditional plazas and local festivals.
Favorable regional climate with warm temperatures and plentiful sunshine year-round.
Growing tourism and real estate sector offering strong potential for local business and investment.
Drawbacks
Limited local job market outside of agriculture, tourism, and small-scale commerce.
Advanced healthcare and specialized medical procedures require travel to Tepic or Puerto Vallarta.
Public transportation options to remote rural areas or minor communities can be infrequent.
Seasonal price inflation and traffic congestion in coastal tourism zones during peak vacation periods.
Limited formal English infrastructure outside of primary expat and tourist corridors.
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.
Compostela
#51Nayarit, Mexico
77.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$550
Avg Salary
$9,500
Cost Index
42
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
221/yr
Avg Temp
71.40°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
73
Business
65
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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