City Comparison
Puerto Peñasco vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Puerto Peñasco scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Puerto Peñasco
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Puerto Peñasco is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
51% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Puerto Peñasco's average rent is
55% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Puerto Peñasco | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $650 | $1,450 | -55% |
| Groceries | $300 | $450 | -33% |
| Utilities | $85 | $400 | -79% |
| Transport | $100 | $120 | -17% |
| Healthcare | $120 | $150 | -20% |
| Monthly Total | $1,255 | $2,570 | -51% |
| Cost Index | 52 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
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 Puerto Peñasco is estimated at
$15,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Puerto Peñasco | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $6,200 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $15,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 11,923 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $12,000 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Puerto Peñasco runs warmer on average — a 73.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Puerto Peñasco comes out ahead with 348 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Puerto Peñasco sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Puerto Peñasco | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 73.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 91.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 52.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 3.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 348 | |
| Humidity | 55.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Puerto Peñasco scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Puerto Peñasco leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Puerto Peñasco | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 50.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Puerto Peñasco is the larger city
— approximately 1.6x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Puerto Peñasco is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Puerto Peñasco has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Puerto Peñasco | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 62,177 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Puerto Peñasco
Advantages
Proximity to the US border makes Puerto Peñasco an easy 4-hour drive from Phoenix and Tucson.
Year-round sunshine with 348 sunny days annually supports an active outdoor and beach lifestyle.
Lower cost of living compared to US coastal towns allows comfortable retirement or remote work budgets.
Vibrant expatriate community provides effortless integration for English-speaking newcomers.
Exclusion from major violent crime corridors keeps the local tourism bubble relatively secure.
Drawbacks
Heavy reliance on tourism creates seasonal economic fluctuations and fluctuating local job security.
Tap water is not potable, requiring constant reliance on bottled water systems.
Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F, driving up seasonal electricity and air conditioning costs.
Car dependency is high due to limited public transportation infrastructure between distinct districts.
Healthcare options for specialized or major medical procedures are limited locally, requiring travel.
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.
Puerto Peñasco
#158Sonora, Mexico
70.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$650
Avg Salary
$6,200
Cost Index
52
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
348/yr
Avg Temp
73.90°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
3.20%
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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