City Comparison
Suffolk vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Suffolk scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Suffolk
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Suffolk is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Suffolk's average rent is
17% higher than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Suffolk | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,697 | $1,450 | +17% |
| Groceries | $360 | $450 | -20% |
| Utilities | $325 | $400 | -19% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $150 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,532 | $2,570 | -1% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 25% 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 Suffolk is estimated at
$67,872 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Suffolk | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,468 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $67,872 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 49,457 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $92,666 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Suffolk runs warmer on average — a 60.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Suffolk comes out ahead with 246 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Suffolk sees 12.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Suffolk | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 60.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 31.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 47.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 12.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 246 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Suffolk.
Grants Pass scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Grants Pass leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Suffolk | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 15.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 70.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Suffolk is the larger city
— approximately 2.6x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Suffolk is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Suffolk has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Suffolk | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 104,699 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.64% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Suffolk
Advantages
Suffolk's overall cost of living is 2.1% below the national average, making it relatively affordable.
The city boasts a high livability score of 77/100, indicating a good quality of life.
Employment in Suffolk grew by 1.3% over the past year, with a projected future job growth of 35.2% over ten years.
Suffolk offers abundant natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities, including the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.
Healthcare facilities like Sentara Obici Hospital have received 'Patient Safety Excellence Awards' (2026, 2025, 2024), indicating high-quality care.
Drawbacks
Suffolk is a car-dependent city with a low Walk Score of 15, meaning most errands require a vehicle.
The average commute time of 30.2 minutes is longer than the national average, and traffic can be an issue.
Property crime rates are 9% higher than the national average, despite an overall crime rate that is slightly lower.
Utilities in Suffolk are about 50% higher than the Virginia city average, primarily driven by sewer costs.
Public transportation options are limited, contributing to car dependency and potentially longer commutes.
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.
Suffolk
#268Virginia, USA
61.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,697
Avg Salary
$48,468
Cost Index
98
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
15.0/100
Sunny Days
246/yr
Avg Temp
60.50°F
Pop. Growth
1.64%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
77
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Suffolk and Grants Pass.
Open Cost Calculator