City Comparison
Derry vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Derry scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Derry
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grants Pass is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
13% higher compared to Derry.
Housing costs are a major driver: Derry's average rent is
63% higher than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Derry | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,366 | $1,450 | +63% |
| Groceries | $339 | $450 | -25% |
| Utilities | $0 | $400 | -100% |
| Transport | $200 | $120 | +67% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $150 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,905 | $2,570 | +13% |
| Cost Index | 112 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Derry offers 12% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Derry delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Derry is estimated at
$62,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Derry | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,286 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $108,944 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Derry | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to Derry.
Derry 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 | Derry | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/10 | 27.0/10 |
| Walkability | 28.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Derry.
From a growth perspective, Grants Pass is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Derry has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Derry | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 34,389 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 41.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 5.60% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Derry
Advantages
Low crime rate, with overall crime 49% below the national average and violent crime 57% lower [14].
Strategic location offering convenient access to Boston and Manchester, with major highways nearby [28, 44].
No state income tax, contributing to potential savings for residents [30].
Rich historical heritage, including being the birthplace of astronaut Alan Shepard and home to poet Robert Frost [4, 31, 32, 38].
Access to natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities, including parks and trails [30].
Drawbacks
High car dependency due to limited public transportation options [7, 28].
Cost of living is 12% higher than the national average, driven by housing costs [16].
Housing prices are above the national average, with a median sold price of $450,000 as of August 2026 [17].
Experiences harsh winters with significant snowfall [30].
Recent employment data shows a slight decline, though the unemployment rate remains low [3].
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.
Derry
#56New Hampshire, USA
62.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,366
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
112
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
40.0/10
Walkability
28.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
78
Business
70
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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