City Comparison
Bethlehem vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bethlehem scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bethlehem
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grants Pass is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
8% higher compared to Bethlehem.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bethlehem's average rent is
24% higher than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Bethlehem | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $1,450 | +24% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $227 | $400 | -43% |
| Transport | $60 | $120 | -50% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $2,787 | $2,570 | +8% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 23% 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 Bethlehem is estimated at
$55,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Bethlehem | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $49,276 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 51,869 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $68,879 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Bethlehem runs warmer on average — a 53.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Bethlehem comes out ahead with 249 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Bethlehem sees 18.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Bethlehem | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 22.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 39.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 18.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | |
| Humidity | % | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Bethlehem.
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 | Bethlehem | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 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
Bethlehem is the larger city
— approximately 2x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Bethlehem is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Bethlehem has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Bethlehem | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,563 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.15% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 5.60% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Bethlehem
Advantages
Bethlehem's population is projected to grow by 1.15% annually in 2026, indicating a growing and dynamic community.
The median household income in Bethlehem was $68,879 in 2024, showing a 3.67% one-year growth.
The average rent in Bethlehem is 5% below the national average as of September 2026, making it a more affordable place to live.
The median property value in Bethlehem increased by 10.1% in 2024, suggesting a healthy real estate market for homeowners.
The cost of home care in Bethlehem is approximately 16% lower than the Pennsylvania average and 22% lower than the national average as of September 2026.
Drawbacks
The poverty rate in Bethlehem was 15.69% in 2026.
While rent is generally affordable, it has increased by 3.4% in the past year as of September 2026.
The median individual income in Bethlehem was $36,225 in 2024, which is lower than the median household income.
Home prices fell about 2.4% a year between 2015 and 2024, an unusual pattern compared to rising rents.
The percentage of uninsured citizens in Bethlehem grew by 5.37% between 2023 and 2024.
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.
Bethlehem
#59Pennsylvania, USA
62.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$49,276
Cost Index
95
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
53.20°F
Pop. Growth
1.15%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
74
Business
68
Grants Pass
#133Oregon, USA
49.2 / 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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