City Comparison
Macon vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Macon scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Macon
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Macon is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
21% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Macon's average rent is
21% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Macon | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,450 | -21% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $400 | -56% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Monthly Total | $2,035 | $2,570 | -21% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 10% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Macon delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Macon is estimated at
$48,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Macon | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,909 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $49,500 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Macon runs warmer on average — a 66°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Macon comes out ahead with 251 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Macon sees 2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Macon | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 66.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 90.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 38.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 39.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 2.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 251 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Macon.
Macon scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Macon leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Macon | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Macon is the larger city
— approximately 3.8x 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, Macon has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Macon | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 153,156 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Macon
Advantages
Median home prices in Macon are significantly lower than the national average, offering high housing affordability per square foot (Zillow, 2024)
Rich cultural and musical history featuring world-class annual events like the International Cherry Blossom Festival
Strategic central Georgia location providing convenient access to Atlanta, Savannah, and regional natural attractions
Major healthcare hub anchored by robust medical centers like Atrium Health Navicent and Piedmont Macon
Abundant outdoor recreation options, including the expansive Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park and Amerson River Park
Drawbacks
Property crime rates in certain urban neighborhoods exceed the national median, requiring careful neighborhood selection (FBI Uniform Crime Reporting, 2024)
Public transportation options are limited, making a personal vehicle practically essential for daily commuting and errands
Hot and humid summer climate can be intensely stifling for individuals sensitive to high temperatures
Average local wages lag somewhat behind major metropolitan economic centers in the state
Economic mobility and job growth in certain traditional sectors have historically trailed high-growth tech hubs
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.
Macon
#511Georgia, USA
52.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
251/yr
Avg Temp
66.00°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
72
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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