City Comparison
Sparks vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Sparks scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Sparks
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grants Pass is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in Sparks.
Housing costs are a major driver: Sparks's average rent is
14% higher than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Sparks | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,450 | +14% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $400 | -56% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $150 | +60% |
| Monthly Total | $2,615 | $2,570 | +2% |
| Cost Index | 104 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 2% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Sparks delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Sparks is estimated at
$54,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Sparks | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $63,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $54,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,577 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $74,500 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Sparks runs warmer on average — a 54.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Sparks comes out ahead with 308 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Sparks sees 21.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Sparks | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 88.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 28.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 18.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 21.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 308 | |
| Humidity | 35.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Sparks.
Sparks scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Sparks leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Sparks | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Sparks is the larger city
— approximately 2.7x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Sparks is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Sparks has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Sparks | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 108,400 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Sparks
Advantages
No state personal income tax in Nevada, providing significant financial savings for residents.
Abundant outdoor recreation centered around the Sparks Marina and proximity to Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada.
Over 300 days of annual sunshine, supporting an active outdoor lifestyle.
Strategic economic location along Interstate 80 with a booming logistics and industrial job market.
Family-friendly atmosphere featuring master-planned communities, parks, and low crime rates relative to major metros.
Drawbacks
Housing costs and rental rates have risen significantly over recent years due to high demand.
Car dependency is high, as public transit options are limited outside of core bus routes.
High-desert climate brings dry conditions, wildfire smoke risks in summer, and winter temperature swings.
Wages in some service and traditional sectors can lag behind the rising cost of living.
Pollen and desert dust can present challenges for seasonal allergy sufferers.
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.
Sparks
#252Nevada, USA
62.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$63,000
Cost Index
104
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
308/yr
Avg Temp
54.20°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
75
Business
72
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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