City Comparison
Mexicali vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Mexicali scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Mexicali
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mexicali is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
21% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Mexicali's average rent is
29% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Mexicali | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,036 | $1,450 | -29% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $400 | -55% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $2,036 | $2,570 | -21% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 97% 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 Mexicali is estimated at
$1,500 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Mexicali | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $2,170 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $1,500 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 2,284 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $62,000 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Mexicali runs warmer on average — a 78.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Mexicali comes out ahead with 348 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Mexicali sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Mexicali | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 78.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 109.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 51.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 4.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 348 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Mexicali.
Mexicali scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Mexicali leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Mexicali | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Mexicali is the larger city
— approximately 27.1x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Mexicali is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Mexicali has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Mexicali | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,083,531 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 30.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 2.38% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Mexicali
Advantages
Strong and diverse economy with significant aerospace, electronics, and agricultural sectors.
Affordable cost of living compared to U.S. border cities and some major Mexican cities.
Growing middle and upper class contributing to a high standard of living and vibrant culture.
Strategic location near the U.S. border facilitating trade and business opportunities.
Improving healthcare infrastructure with modern facilities and skilled professionals.
Drawbacks
Air quality is a recurring health concern, with 'Red' and 'Hazardous' AQI alerts reported.
The Mexicali Valley has travel restrictions for U.S. employees due to its location on smuggling routes.
Car dependency is high, with most residents relying on private vehicles for transportation.
While improving, healthcare quality can vary, and official ratings are not as standardized as in the U.S.
Water availability from the Colorado River is a critical factor for the agricultural sector's future.
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.
Mexicali
#168Baja California, Mexico
69.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,036
Avg Salary
$2,170
Cost Index
95
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
348/yr
Avg Temp
78.30°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
2.38%
Livability
74
Business
68
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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