City Comparison
Valdosta vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Valdosta scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Valdosta
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Valdosta is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
21% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Valdosta's average rent is
21% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Valdosta | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,450 | -21% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $160 | $400 | -60% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Monthly Total | $2,020 | $2,570 | -21% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 19% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Valdosta delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Valdosta is estimated at
$45,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Valdosta | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,091 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $46,500 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Valdosta runs warmer on average — a 68.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Valdosta comes out ahead with 253 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Valdosta sees 3.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Valdosta | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 68.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 91.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 42.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 38.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 3.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 253 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Valdosta scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Valdosta leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Valdosta | 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 | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Valdosta is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x 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, Valdosta has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Valdosta | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,378 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 29.5 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Valdosta
Advantages
Median home prices in Valdosta are significantly lower than the national average per recent housing market data.
Valdosta State University provides robust educational and cultural amenities to the local community.
The city enjoys an abundance of sunny days with an average of 253 sunny days per year.
Strategic location along Interstate 75 offers convenient travel access to major hubs in Georgia and Florida.
Low overall cost of living index makes it an attractive destination for budget-conscious families and retirees.
Drawbacks
Summer temperatures and humidity levels can be quite intense during peak months.
Public transit infrastructure is limited, making car ownership a near-necessity.
Property crime rates in certain urban pockets are higher than the national median.
Average local salaries lag behind national benchmarks in several key service sectors.
Vulnerability to severe weather events, including tropical storms moving inland from the Gulf.
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.
Valdosta
#442Georgia, USA
56.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
253/yr
Avg Temp
68.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
70
Business
65
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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