City Comparison
Ventersdorp vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Ventersdorp scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Ventersdorp
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ventersdorp is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
69% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Ventersdorp's average rent is
79% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Ventersdorp | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $300 | $1,450 | -79% |
| Groceries | $220 | $450 | -51% |
| Utilities | $95 | $400 | -76% |
| Transport | $75 | $120 | -38% |
| Healthcare | $110 | $150 | -27% |
| Monthly Total | $800 | $2,570 | -69% |
| Cost Index | 42 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 88% 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 Ventersdorp is estimated at
$6,500 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Ventersdorp | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $7,800 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $6,500 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 18,571 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $8,200 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Ventersdorp runs warmer on average — a 63°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Ventersdorp comes out ahead with 253 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Ventersdorp sees 0.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Ventersdorp | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 66.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 61.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 37.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 253 | |
| Humidity | 58.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Ventersdorp scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Ventersdorp leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Ventersdorp | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 55.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Ventersdorp.
From a growth perspective, Grants Pass is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Grants Pass has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Ventersdorp | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 35,000 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 28.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 31.50% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Ventersdorp
Advantages
Housing and real estate prices are exceptionally affordable compared to South African major metropolitan areas.
The town offers a quiet, community-oriented rural lifestyle with minimal traffic and congestion.
Strong agricultural foundation provides a stable economic baseline for local trade and services.
Proximity to Potchefstroom allows residents to access university-town amenities within a short drive.
Mild climate features pleasant winter days and moderate rainfall supporting outdoor living.
Drawbacks
Local employment opportunities are heavily restricted primarily to agriculture and public services.
Public transit infrastructure is limited, making car ownership or reliance on minibus taxis essential.
Specialized healthcare, higher education, and major retail require travel to neighboring towns.
Local municipal service delivery faces infrastructure and maintenance challenges common to rural South Africa.
High national unemployment trends are reflected locally, limiting rapid economic mobility.
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.
Ventersdorp
#36North West, South Africa
60.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$300
Avg Salary
$7,800
Cost Index
42
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
253/yr
Avg Temp
63.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
31.50%
Livability
64
Business
55
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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