City Comparison
Darfield vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Darfield scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Darfield
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Darfield is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
53% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Darfield's average rent is
74% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Darfield | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $380 | $1,450 | -74% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $170 | $400 | -58% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $100 | $150 | -33% |
| Monthly Total | $1,220 | $2,570 | -53% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 19% 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 Darfield is estimated at
$45,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Darfield | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 56,522 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $58,000 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Darfield runs warmer on average — a 52.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Darfield comes out ahead with 233 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Darfield sees 1.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Darfield | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 51.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 50.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 42.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 1.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 233 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
8,500 minutes (142 hours) per year compared to Darfield.
Darfield scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Darfield leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Darfield | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 35 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Darfield.
From a growth perspective, Darfield is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Darfield has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Darfield | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,850 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Darfield
Advantages
Tranquil rural-suburban atmosphere with strong community engagement per Selwyn District Council reports
Close proximity to Christchurch providing access to major metropolitan amenities
Gateway location to Canterbury's premier outdoor recreation and ski fields
Lower crime rates and high safety profile compared to major urban centers
Growing selection of modern housing developments and spacious sections
Drawbacks
High reliance on private vehicles for commuting and daily transport
Limited public transport links connecting to Christchurch
Rising housing and property costs driven by regional growth
Limited local rental housing inventory
Distance from major specialized healthcare facilities requiring travel to Christchurch
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.
Darfield
#5Canterbury, New Zealand
69.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$380
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
35 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
233/yr
Avg Temp
52.70°F
Pop. Growth
2.50%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
78
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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