City Comparison
Santa María del Oro vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Santa María del Oro scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Santa María del Oro
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Santa María del Oro is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
71% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Santa María del Oro's average rent is
76% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Santa María del Oro | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $350 | $1,450 | -76% |
| Groceries | $200 | $450 | -56% |
| Utilities | $65 | $400 | -84% |
| Transport | $50 | $120 | -58% |
| Healthcare | $80 | $150 | -47% |
| Monthly Total | $745 | $2,570 | -71% |
| Cost Index | 35 | 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 Santa María del Oro is estimated at
$4,500 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Santa María del Oro | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $6,200 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $4,500 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 17,714 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $7,500 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Santa María del Oro runs warmer on average — a 66.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Santa María del Oro comes out ahead with 300 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Santa María del Oro sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Santa María del Oro | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 66.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 44.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 22.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 300 | |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Santa María del Oro scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Santa María del Oro leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Santa María del Oro | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 20.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Santa María del Oro.
From a growth perspective, Grants Pass is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Santa María del Oro has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Santa María del Oro | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 22,000 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Santa María del Oro
Advantages
Exceptionally low cost of living and affordable housing compared to major Mexican cities and US standards.
Enjoyment of approximately 300 sunny days per year with pleasant regional weather conditions.
Strong sense of community safety, traditional culture, and a peaceful, unhurried small-town atmosphere.
Proximity to the scenic landscapes of the Sierra Madre Occidental, offering great outdoor lifestyle appeal.
Authentic local cuisine and rich historical heritage rooted in Durango's traditions.
Drawbacks
Limited local job market with few high-paying professional or corporate employment opportunities.
Reliance on neighboring cities for specialized healthcare services, advanced education, and major retail shopping.
Limited public transportation infrastructure requiring reliance on personal vehicles or regional buses.
Scarcity of digital infrastructure and high-speed internet options outside the immediate town center.
Limited rental market inventory with few modern or standardized apartment complexes.
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.
Santa María del Oro
#48Durango, Mexico
77.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$350
Avg Salary
$6,200
Cost Index
35
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
300/yr
Avg Temp
66.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
72
Business
58
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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