City Comparison
El Salto vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
El Salto scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
El Salto
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
El Salto is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
73% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: El Salto's average rent is
79% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | El Salto | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $300 | $1,450 | -79% |
| Groceries | $200 | $450 | -56% |
| Utilities | $65 | $400 | -84% |
| Transport | $50 | $120 | -58% |
| Healthcare | $80 | $150 | -47% |
| Monthly Total | $695 | $2,570 | -73% |
| Cost Index | 42 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 89% 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 El Salto is estimated at
$6,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | El Salto | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $7,200 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $6,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 17,143 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $8,500 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
El Salto runs warmer on average — a 57.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, El Salto comes out ahead with 261 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — El Salto sees 0.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | El Salto | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 73.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 38.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 29.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 261 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
El Salto scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, El Salto leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | El Salto | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of El Salto.
From a growth perspective, Grants Pass is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, El Salto has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | El Salto | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,000 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 29.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
El Salto
Advantages
Surrounded by extensive pine forests of the Sierra Madre Occidental offering exceptional outdoor recreation
Significantly lower cost of living compared to major Mexican metropolitan areas
Steady employment opportunities in the established timber, forestry, and manufacturing sectors
Cooler, alpine climate providing relief from extreme summer heat found elsewhere in Mexico
Strong community identity and traditional small-town cultural atmosphere
Drawbacks
Limited availability of advanced healthcare specialists, requiring travel to Durango City for specialized care
Geographic isolation in the mountains can increase transport and shipping costs for goods
Severe winter temperatures require adequate home heating, increasing seasonal utility expenses
Limited public transit infrastructure outside of basic regional bus connections and taxis
Niche local job market primarily restricted to industrial, forestry, and service occupations
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.
El Salto
#125Durango, Mexico
73.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$300
Avg Salary
$7,200
Cost Index
42
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
261/yr
Avg Temp
57.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
68
Business
60
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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