City Comparison
Glenrothes vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Glenrothes scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Glenrothes
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Glenrothes is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
29% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Glenrothes's average rent is
34% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Glenrothes | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,450 | -34% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $180 | $400 | -55% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $150 | +33% |
| Monthly Total | $1,820 | $2,570 | -29% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 35% 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 Glenrothes is estimated at
$36,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Glenrothes | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $42,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $36,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 51,220 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $41,000 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Glenrothes runs warmer on average — a 49.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Glenrothes comes out ahead with 226 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Glenrothes sees 5.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Glenrothes | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 49.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 66.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 35.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 33.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 5.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 226 | |
| Humidity | 78.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Glenrothes.
Glenrothes scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Glenrothes leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Glenrothes | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 50.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Glenrothes is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x 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, Glenrothes has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Glenrothes | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 50,350 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 42.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Glenrothes
Advantages
Average home prices and rental rates remain significantly lower than in nearby Edinburgh and St Andrews.
Extensive green spaces, including Riverside Park and numerous neighborhood woodlands, offer excellent outdoor recreation.
Strategic central Fife location provides robust road links via the A92 to major Scottish cities.
Thoughtful post-war town planning features extensive pedestrian pathways and segregated cycle routes.
Active local manufacturing and public sector employment base supports stable regional job opportunities.
Drawbacks
Public transport reliance on buses means owning a car is often necessary for efficient regional commuting.
Town center retail has faced challenges from changing consumer habits and out-of-town shopping parks.
Limited high-end nightlife and entertainment options compared to larger Scottish cities.
Certain neighborhoods experience pockets of socioeconomic deprivation and localized underemployment.
Weather can be overcast and damp during extended autumn and winter months.
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.
Glenrothes
#12Scotland, UK
62.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$42,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
50.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
226/yr
Avg Temp
49.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
75
Business
68
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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