City Comparison
Marietta vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Marietta scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Marietta
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grants Pass is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Marietta.
Housing costs are a major driver: Marietta's average rent is
14% higher than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Marietta | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,450 | +14% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $400 | -56% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $150 | +60% |
| Monthly Total | $2,600 | $2,570 | +1% |
| Cost Index | 104 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Marietta offers 12% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Marietta delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Marietta is estimated at
$60,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Marietta | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,231 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $74,500 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Marietta runs warmer on average — a 62.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Marietta comes out ahead with 232 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Marietta sees 3.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Marietta | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 62.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 35.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 42.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 3.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 232 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Marietta.
Marietta scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Marietta leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Marietta | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Marietta is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x 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, Marietta has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Marietta | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,987 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Marietta
Advantages
Historic downtown Marietta Square offers vibrant dining, shopping, and community events year-round.
Proximity to Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park provides exceptional hiking and outdoor recreation.
Strong local economy anchored by major employers like Lockheed Martin and Wellstar Health System.
Cobb County School District is highly rated, making the area exceptionally popular for families.
Strategic location just northwest of Atlanta provides easy access to big-city amenities while retaining suburban charm.
Drawbacks
Traffic congestion along major corridors like I-75 and Loop 128 can be heavy during peak commuting hours.
Cost of living and housing prices are notably higher than the national average and rural Georgia.
Public transportation options are limited, making car ownership practically essential for daily life.
Summers can be persistently hot and humid, limiting comfortable outdoor activity during peak afternoons.
Rapid regional growth has driven up housing and rental costs, increasing pressure on first-time buyers.
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.
Marietta
#339Georgia, USA
60.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
104
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
232/yr
Avg Temp
62.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
77
Business
72
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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