City Comparison
Gillette vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Gillette scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Gillette
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Gillette is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
100% lower compared to Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Gillette's average rent is
100% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Gillette | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $1,450 | -100% |
| Groceries | $0 | $450 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $400 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $120 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $150 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $0 | $2,570 | -100% |
| Cost Index | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Gillette offers 1% higher average salaries.
| Metric | Gillette | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $58,000 |
| Household Income | $81,316 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Gillette runs warmer on average — a 47.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Gillette comes out ahead with 279 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Gillette sees 38.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Gillette | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 47.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 15.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 17.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 38.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 279 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
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 | Gillette | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 27.0/10 |
| Walkability | 22.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Gillette.
From a growth perspective, Gillette is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Gillette has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Gillette | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,431 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.00% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 5.60% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Gillette
Advantages
Affordable housing compared to national averages, with a median home value of $264,500 in 2024.
Strong job market driven by the energy sector, with major employers like Peabody Energy and Arch Coal.
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities in the surrounding natural landscapes.
Close-knit community with a friendly atmosphere and strong community spirit.
Lower cost of living and lower violent crime rate compared to national averages.
Drawbacks
Economy heavily reliant on the volatile energy sector, subject to boom-and-bust cycles.
Limited public transportation options, with a car-dependent culture.
Harsh winter weather conditions.
Fewer cultural and entertainment amenities compared to larger cities.
Crime rate is higher than 92% of Wyoming's cities and towns.
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.
Gillette
#12Wyoming, USA
70.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
22.0/10
Sunny Days
279/yr
Avg Temp
47.30°F
Pop. Growth
1.00%
Unemployment
2.50%
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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