City Comparison
Mesa vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Mesa scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Mesa
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grants Pass is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Mesa.
Housing costs are a major driver: Mesa's average rent is
31% higher than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Mesa | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,900 | $1,450 | +31% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $400 | -55% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $2,830 | $2,570 | +10% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Mesa offers 7% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Mesa delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Mesa is estimated at
$58,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Mesa | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $69,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,408 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $82,752 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Mesa runs warmer on average — a 76.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Mesa comes out ahead with 326 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Mesa sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Mesa | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 76.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 105.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 49.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 13.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 326 | |
| Humidity | 30.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Mesa.
Mesa scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Mesa leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Mesa | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Mesa is the larger city
— approximately 12.8x 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, Mesa has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Mesa | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 513,656 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.43% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.60% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Mesa
Advantages
Average rent sits at $1,900 per month as of late 2026 per Zillow data, offering competitive rates compared to neighboring coastal or West Coast metros.
Mesa features over 326 sunny days per year, providing an ideal climate for outdoor enthusiasts and active lifestyles.
The city's median household income has grown steadily to roughly $82,752 per the U.S. Census Bureau.
Extensive investments in the Falcon Field and Phoenix-Mesa Gateway airport corridors continue to spur high-paying advanced manufacturing and aerospace jobs.
World-class recreational escapes like Usery Mountain Regional Park and the Salt River offer immediate access to hiking, kayaking, and desert scenery.
Drawbacks
Extreme summer high temperatures averaging 105.5°F make outdoor daytime activities challenging during peak summer months.
Heavy car dependency across Mesa's 142 square miles can lead to localized rush-hour congestion on major freeways.
Rapid population growth has driven up housing and property values, placing a strain on first-time home buyers.
Regional air quality during certain winter atmospheric inversions can experience elevated particulate pollution levels.
Public transit coverage outside of the light rail corridor and major bus lines can be limited for car-free commuters.
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.
Mesa
#274Arizona, USA
61.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,900
Avg Salary
$69,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
326/yr
Avg Temp
76.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.43%
Unemployment
4.60%
Livability
75
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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