City Comparison
Maricopa vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Maricopa scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Maricopa
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grants Pass is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in Maricopa.
Housing costs are a major driver: Maricopa's average rent is
24% higher than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Maricopa | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,799 | $1,450 | +24% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $400 | -55% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $2,729 | $2,570 | +6% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Maricopa offers 1% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Maricopa delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Maricopa is estimated at
$55,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Maricopa | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,421 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $96,391 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Maricopa runs warmer on average — a 74.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Maricopa comes out ahead with 329 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Maricopa sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Maricopa | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 74.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 106.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 43.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 9.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 329 | |
| Humidity | 25.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
9,500 minutes (158 hours) per year compared to Maricopa.
Maricopa scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Maricopa | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 37 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 40.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Maricopa is the larger city
— approximately 2.1x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Maricopa is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Maricopa has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Maricopa | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,372 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 5.12% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.30% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Maricopa
Advantages
Median home property values (~$377,200) remain substantially more affordable than nearby Phoenix and East Valley housing markets.
Consistently ranks among the top 10 safest cities in Arizona according to recent safety reports and municipal data.
Features a young, highly diverse population with top-rated diverse school districts in the greater region.
Strong homeownership rate exceeding 80%, providing stable, master-planned suburban neighborhoods.
Rapidly expanding local retail, dining, and commercial developments reducing the need to travel for daily necessities.
Drawbacks
Heavy reliance on State Route 347 creates long commute times and traffic bottleneck concerns during peak hours.
Extreme summer high temperatures exceeding 106°F restrict outdoor daytime activities for several months.
Limited public transit infrastructure makes car ownership mandatory for all daily tasks and employment commuting.
Scarcity of major local high-tech or corporate employment hubs requires long-distance commuting or remote work.
High summer electricity utility costs required to maintain home cooling during prolonged heatwaves.
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.
Maricopa
#42Arizona, USA
71.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,799
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
37 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
40.0/100
Sunny Days
329/yr
Avg Temp
74.10°F
Pop. Growth
5.12%
Unemployment
5.30%
Livability
75
Business
67
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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