City Comparison
Surprise vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Surprise scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Surprise
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grants Pass is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
15% lower than in Surprise.
Housing costs are a major driver: Surprise's average rent is
45% higher than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Surprise | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,100 | $1,450 | +45% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $400 | -55% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Monthly Total | $3,020 | $2,570 | +18% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Surprise offers 12% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Surprise delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Surprise is estimated at
$60,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Surprise | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 73,469 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $96,711 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Surprise runs warmer on average — a 75.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Surprise comes out ahead with 330 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Surprise sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Surprise | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 75.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 106.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 47.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 10.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 330 | |
| Humidity | 30.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Surprise.
Surprise scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Surprise | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 40.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Surprise is the larger city
— approximately 4.2x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Surprise is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Surprise has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Surprise | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 167,602 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 3.31% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 41.4 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Surprise
Advantages
Ranks consistently among the top safest cities in Arizona with low violent crime rates.
Average rent and home prices remain more affordable compared to central Phoenix and Scottsdale.
Hosts Major League Baseball Spring Training at the state-of-the-art Surprise Stadium.
Median household income of $96,711 significantly outperforms the national and state averages.
Abundant sunshine with over 330 sunny days per year supporting an active outdoor lifestyle.
Drawbacks
High summer temperatures exceeding 106°F make outdoor activities difficult during peak afternoons.
High car dependency with limited public mass transit options within the city.
Rapid population growth has occasionally introduced traffic congestion along major commuter corridors.
Significant spike in summer electricity and cooling utility bills due to extreme desert heat.
Summer monsoon season can occasionally bring brief, intense dust storms and heavy rainfall.
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.
Surprise
#13Arizona, USA
74.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,100
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
40.0/100
Sunny Days
330/yr
Avg Temp
75.10°F
Pop. Growth
3.31%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
80
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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