City Comparison
Tempe vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Tempe scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Tempe
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grants Pass is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Tempe.
Housing costs are a major driver: Tempe's average rent is
34% higher than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Tempe | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,939 | $1,450 | +34% |
| Groceries | $440 | $450 | -2% |
| Utilities | $195 | $400 | -51% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $150 | +60% |
| Monthly Total | $2,929 | $2,570 | +14% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tempe offers 18% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Tempe delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Tempe is estimated at
$62,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Tempe | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $76,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 72,381 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $79,663 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Tempe runs warmer on average — a 76.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Tempe comes out ahead with 327 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Tempe sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Tempe | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 76.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 106.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 47.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 15.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 327 | |
| Humidity | 31.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Tempe.
Tempe scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Tempe leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Tempe | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 54.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tempe is the larger city
— approximately 4.8x 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, Tempe has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Tempe | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,571 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.53% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 30.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.60% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Tempe
Advantages
Median property value in Tempe stands at $455,400 with steady regional appreciation per U.S. Census data.
Exceptional multi-modal transit featuring the Valley Metro Light Rail and free Orbit circulators connecting directly to Sky Harbor Airport.
Abundant outdoor recreation centered around Tempe Town Lake, Hayden Butte, and over 320 sunny days per year.
Thriving high-tech and educational economy driven by Arizona State University and major corporate employers.
Vibrant dining, arts, and cultural scene anchored by Downtown Tempe and Mill Avenue establishments.
Drawbacks
Intense summer heat with average daily highs exceeding 106°F requires high seasonal cooling expenditures.
Average monthly rent of $1,939 creates affordability challenges for lower-income renters and entry-level workers.
Property crime rates, particularly bicycle and vehicle thefts, are elevated around high-density student and entertainment zones.
Housing inventory for single-family homes is competitive, leading to fast-paced bidding and limited starter inventory.
Traffic congestion during peak university semesters and major stadium events impacts primary arterial corridors.
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.
Tempe
#412Arizona, USA
57.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,939
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
105
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
54.0/100
Sunny Days
327/yr
Avg Temp
76.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.53%
Unemployment
4.60%
Livability
79
Business
80
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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