Performance
Score Breakdown
Messina
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Messina is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
48% lower compared to Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Messina's average rent is
62% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Messina | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $555 | $1,450 | -62% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $189 | $400 | -53% |
| Transport | $44 | $120 | -63% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,338 | $2,570 | -48% |
| Cost Index | 74 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 66% 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 Messina is estimated at
$16,512 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Messina | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $21,984 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $16,512 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 29,708 idx | 57,438 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Messina | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 80.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Messina has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
9,000 minutes (150 hours) per year compared to Grants Pass.
Grants Pass scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Grants Pass leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Messina | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 27.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Messina is the larger city
— approximately 5.4x 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, Grants Pass has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Messina | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 215,849 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 48.6 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 12.20% | 5.60% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Messina
Advantages
Messina's cost of living is 13.9% cheaper than Italy overall, making it a relatively affordable city.
The average price for residential rental properties in Messina increased by 7.68% in June 2026 compared to June 2025, indicating a growing rental market.
Tourism, hospitality, and restaurant sectors in Sicily are expected to absorb over 20,000 new workers between July and September 2026, suggesting job opportunities in these areas.
Messina's strategic location as a port city and gateway to mainland Italy provides significant trade and transport advantages.
The city benefits from substantial EU funding for port expansion, upgrades, and public transport, indicating ongoing investment in infrastructure.
Drawbacks
Messina's population is estimated to be declining, with a -0.49% annual decrease in 2026.
The regional unemployment rate in Sicily was 12.2% in 2025, which is higher than the national average of 6.1%.
The median after-tax salary in Messina is $1,832 per month, which may be challenging to cover living expenses for more than 1.5 months.
While tourism is growing, there are concerns about precarious work and labor law irregularities in the Sicilian hospitality sector.
The median age in Italy is 48.6 years, suggesting a potentially aging population in Messina, which could impact future workforce dynamics.
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.
Messina
#5Sicily, Italy
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$555
Avg Salary
$21,984
Cost Index
74
Commute
min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
12.20%
Livability
72
Business
65
Grants Pass
#68Oregon, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$64,331
Cost Index
112
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
27.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
5.60%
Livability
70
Business
60
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Messina and Grants Pass.
Open Cost Calculator