Performance
Score Breakdown
Benton
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Benton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
28% lower compared to Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Benton's average rent is
37% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Benton | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $917 | $1,450 | -37% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $400 | -55% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $150 | +33% |
| Monthly Total | $1,847 | $2,570 | -28% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 32% 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 Benton is estimated at
$55,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Benton | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $43,632 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 47,426 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $72,876 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Benton | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Benton.
Benton 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 | Benton | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 27.0/10 |
| Walkability | 30.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Benton.
From a growth perspective, Benton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Benton has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Benton | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 36,595 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.00% | 5.60% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Benton
Advantages
The cost of living in Benton is approximately 8% lower than the national average, making it highly affordable.
Benton boasts a highly-rated school district, making it attractive for families.
The city has experienced significant economic growth, with Benton County seeing a 15.5% increase in average weekly wages in 2024.
Saline Memorial Hospital in Benton holds an 'A' safety grade and has received awards for cardiac care, indicating high-quality healthcare access.
Benton offers a small-town charm with convenient access to the amenities and employment opportunities of nearby Little Rock.
Drawbacks
Benton has a low Walk Score of 30/100 and is largely car-dependent, meaning most errands require a vehicle.
The city has a high flood risk in certain areas, potentially requiring mandatory flood insurance and higher utility costs.
Benton's violent crime rate of 414.0 per 100,000 residents in 2024 is 18% above the national average.
Public transit options are very limited, with only about 0.1% of residents using it for commuting.
Commutes to major job centers like Little Rock can take 30-45 minutes, which might be a drawback for some 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.
Benton
#64Arkansas, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$917
Avg Salary
$43,632
Cost Index
92
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
30.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
66
Business
70
Grants Pass
#64Oregon, 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
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