City Comparison
Apolda vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Apolda scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Apolda
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Apolda is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
40% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Apolda's average rent is
55% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Apolda | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $650 | $1,450 | -55% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $220 | $400 | -45% |
| Transport | $90 | $120 | -25% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $150 | +33% |
| Monthly Total | $1,540 | $2,570 | -40% |
| Cost Index | 72 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 35% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Apolda delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Apolda is estimated at
$36,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Apolda | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $42,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $36,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,333 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $41,000 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Apolda runs warmer on average — a 50.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Apolda comes out ahead with 259 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Apolda sees 8.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Apolda | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 74.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 30.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 20.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 8.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 259 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Apolda.
Apolda scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Apolda leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Apolda | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 74.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Apolda.
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 | Apolda | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,845 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 47.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 6.80% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Apolda
Advantages
Significantly lower housing and rental costs compared to nearby Weimar, Jena, and major German cities
Excellent regional rail connectivity providing direct commutes to Erfurt, Jena, and Leipzig
Rich cultural heritage featuring traditional bell founding, textile history, and local festivals
Abundant green spaces, parks, and direct access to the scenic Ilm valley cycling and hiking routes
Family-friendly environment with robust local schools, sports clubs, and a secure community atmosphere
Drawbacks
Limited local high-paying job opportunities, requiring many residents to commute to neighboring cities
Diminished nightlife and entertainment options compared to larger university cities like Jena or Erfurt
Demographic aging trends common to rural and semi-urban Thuringia
Moderate reliance on personal vehicles for accessing certain outlying commercial zones
Slower pace of commercial retail development in the historic downtown core
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.
Apolda
#32Thuringia, Germany
64.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$650
Avg Salary
$42,000
Cost Index
72
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
74.0/100
Sunny Days
259/yr
Avg Temp
50.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
6.80%
Livability
76
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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