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Pénjamo vs Grants Pass

Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.

Guanajuato, Mexico
View Pénjamo profile
#25 in Mexico
79
Overall Score
VS
Oregon, USA
View Grants Pass profile
#584 in USA
45
Overall Score
Pénjamo scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Pénjamo
Grants Pass
Livability
75
70
Affordability
85
65
Business
65
60
Growth
68
62

Cost of Living

Pénjamo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about 70% lower than in Grants Pass. Housing costs are a major driver: Pénjamo's average rent is 76% lower than Grants Pass's.
MetricPénjamoGrants PassDiff
Average Rent
$350$1,450-76%
Groceries
$220$450-51%
Utilities
$60$400-85%
Transport
$50$120-58%
Healthcare
$80$150-47%
Monthly Total
$760$2,570-70%
Cost Index
42112out of 100

Salary & Income

Grants Pass offers 90% 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 Pénjamo is estimated at $4,800 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
MetricPénjamoGrants Pass
Average Salary
$6,500$64,331
Salary Needed
$4,800$58,000
Purchasing Power
15,476 idx57,438 idx
Household Income
$9,500$59,646

Climate Comparison

Pénjamo runs warmer on average — a 66.9°F difference year-round. For sunshine, Pénjamo comes out ahead with 266 more sunny days per year, which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle. Winter severity differs too — Pénjamo sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
MetricPénjamoGrants Pass
Avg Temp
66.90°F°F
Summer High
76.90°F°F
Winter Low
50.50°F°F
Rainfall
32.50 in in
Snowfall
0.00 in in
Sunny Days
266
Humidity
62.00%74.00%

Commute & Transport

Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other. Pénjamo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living. For walkability, Pénjamo leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
MetricPénjamoGrants Pass
Commute Time
20 min18 min
Transit Score
45.0/10027.0/100
Walkability
65.0/10040.0/100
Traffic Index
35.00
Car Dependency
MediumHigh

Economy & Demographics

Pénjamo is the larger city — approximately 3.9x 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, Pénjamo has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
MetricPénjamoGrants Pass
Population
154,96040,051
Pop. Growth
0.80%0.90%
Median Age
29.040.8
Unemployment
2.70%5.60%
GDP
——

Pros & Cons

Pénjamo
Advantages
Exceptionally affordable cost of living and housing compared to US averages and major Mexican metropolises per INEGI data.
Rich historical heritage as the birthplace of Miguel Hidalgo, offering a vibrant cultural landscape and traditional festivals.
Strategic location within Guanajuato's official Tequila Designation of Origin region, supporting a robust agricultural and tourism economy.
Pleasantly mild subtropical climate featuring abundant sunny days and comfortable year-round temperatures.
Strong community-oriented lifestyle with high neighborhood social cohesion and low urban congestion.
Drawbacks
Limited local availability of high-paying corporate white-collar or advanced tech jobs within city limits.
Advanced specialty medical care requires travel to larger neighboring cities like Irapuato or León.
Public transit infrastructure is basic, making private vehicle ownership or regular taxi use necessary for efficient travel.
State and regional security fluctuations require residents to maintain standard safety vigilance.
Limited English proficiency among the general populace, requiring newcomers to have functional Spanish skills.
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.

Dive Deeper

Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.

Pénjamo
#25
Guanajuato, Mexico
78.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$350
Avg Salary
$6,500
Cost Index
42
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
266/yr
Avg Temp
66.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
2.70%
Livability
75
Business
65
View Full Profile
Grants Pass
#584
Oregon, 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
View Full Profile

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