City Comparison
Belconnen vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Belconnen scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Belconnen
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Belconnen is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
42% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Belconnen's average rent is
60% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Belconnen | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $580 | $1,450 | -60% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $400 | -55% |
| Transport | $90 | $120 | -25% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $1,500 | $2,570 | -42% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Belconnen offers 44% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Belconnen delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Belconnen is estimated at
$60,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Belconnen | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $92,352 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 97,213 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $92,352 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Belconnen runs warmer on average — a 57.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Belconnen comes out ahead with 289 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Belconnen sees 0.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Belconnen | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 52.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 56.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 21.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 289 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Belconnen.
Belconnen scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Belconnen leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Belconnen | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Belconnen is the larger city
— approximately 2.7x 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, Belconnen has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Belconnen | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,132 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.70% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Belconnen
Advantages
Belconnen is the most populous district in the ACT, indicating a significant community and established infrastructure.
The district offers a diverse range of housing options, from apartments to houses, catering to various needs and preferences.
Belconnen is home to major educational and sporting institutions, including the University of Canberra and the Australian Institute of Sport, providing employment and recreational opportunities.
The presence of Lake Ginninderra and numerous parks enhances the quality of life with ample opportunities for outdoor recreation and leisure activities.
Canberra, as a whole, is ranked highly for quality of life globally, and Belconnen benefits from this overall positive environment.
Drawbacks
Belconnen has been identified as a crime hotspot within Canberra, with higher rates of certain crimes compared to the ACT and national averages.
While property prices have seen some decreases in houses, the overall housing market can be competitive, and affordability remains a consideration.
Some reports indicate a higher proportion of children in Belconnen are developmentally vulnerable compared to ACT and national averages.
Belconnen's crime statistics show a concerning increase in violent crime in recent periods, despite decreases in other categories.
While Canberra is highly rated for quality of life, specific indicators like police services and graffiti/vandalism management have lower satisfaction rates among residents.
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.
Belconnen
#21Australian Capital Territory, Australia
55.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$580
Avg Salary
$92,352
Cost Index
95
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
289/yr
Avg Temp
57.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
75
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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