City Comparison
Valley City vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Valley City scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Valley City
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Valley City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
32% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Valley City's average rent is
41% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Valley City | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,450 | -41% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $180 | $400 | -55% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Monthly Total | $1,740 | $2,570 | -32% |
| 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, Valley City delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Valley City is estimated at
$42,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Valley City | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,091 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $60,339 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Valley City runs warmer on average — a 43.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Valley City comes out ahead with 283 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Valley City sees 25.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Valley City | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 43.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 76.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 1.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 22.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 25.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 283 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Valley City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Valley City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Valley City | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 16 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 22.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Valley City.
From a growth perspective, Grants Pass is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Valley City has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Valley City | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,430 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 39.4 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Valley City
Advantages
Median home property values remain highly accessible at roughly $162,200 per Census data, offering exceptional affordability for buyers.
Crime rates and overall safety profiles sit significantly lower than the national average, ensuring a secure environment.
Average commute times are remarkably short at under 16 minutes per Data USA metrics, reducing daily travel stress.
Home to Valley City State University, providing local cultural events, continuing education, and community enrichment.
Surrounded by the scenic Sheyenne River Valley National Scenic Byway, offering abundant outdoor recreation and natural beauty.
Drawbacks
Harsh winter weather conditions bring severe low temperatures and winter snowfall totals that require winterized preparation.
Local employment options in niche professional fields are more limited compared to larger metropolitan job markets like Fargo.
Poverty rates hover around 16.7% according to recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates, indicating localized economic challenges.
Public transportation infrastructure is minimal, making car ownership an absolute necessity for daily life.
Specialized retail, entertainment, and major medical procedures require travel to regional urban centers.
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.
Valley City
#80North Dakota, USA
68.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
283/yr
Avg Temp
43.40°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
76
Business
67
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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