City Comparison
Sierra Vista vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Sierra Vista scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Sierra Vista
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Sierra Vista is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Sierra Vista | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,410 | $1,450 | -3% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $400 | -55% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Monthly Total | $2,320 | $2,570 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 4% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Sierra Vista delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Sierra Vista is estimated at
$48,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Sierra Vista | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,391 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $70,291 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Sierra Vista runs warmer on average — a 65.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Sierra Vista comes out ahead with 315 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Sierra Vista sees 1.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Sierra Vista | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 91.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 40.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 12.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 1.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 315 | |
| Humidity | 35.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Sierra Vista scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Sierra Vista leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Sierra Vista | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 28.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Sierra Vista is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x 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, Sierra Vista has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Sierra Vista | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,710 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Sierra Vista
Advantages
Median home prices in Sierra Vista remain roughly 15% below the national average per Zillow market data.
Average commute times of 17.5 minutes are significantly shorter than the U.S. average per Census Bureau data.
Exceptional access to pristine outdoor recreation, including the Huachuca Mountains and San Pedro Riparian area.
Strong economic stability driven by Fort Huachuca, anchoring defense and technology jobs.
Over 315 days of sunshine annually, paired with a comfortable high-elevation climate.
Drawbacks
Summer high temperatures regularly exceed 90°F, requiring heavy air conditioning usage.
Limited public mass transit infrastructure creates a high reliance on personal vehicles.
Local wages in non-defense sectors can lag behind major metropolitan economic centers.
Geographic isolation from major metropolitan hubs requires lengthy drives for specialized entertainment or major flight hubs.
Local water resource management is an ongoing regional concern given the arid southern Arizona environment.
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.
Sierra Vista
#128Arizona, USA
66.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,410
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
315/yr
Avg Temp
65.60°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
78
Business
70
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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