City Comparison
Gold Coast vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Gold Coast scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Gold Coast
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grants Pass is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Gold Coast.
Housing costs are a major driver: Gold Coast's average rent is
31% higher than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Gold Coast | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,900 | $1,450 | +31% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $190 | $400 | -53% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Monthly Total | $2,860 | $2,570 | +11% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 4% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Gold Coast delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Gold Coast is estimated at
$52,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Gold Coast | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,265 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $64,000 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Gold Coast runs warmer on average — a 69.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Gold Coast comes out ahead with 229 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Gold Coast sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Gold Coast | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 69.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 68.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 69.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 58.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 229 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to Gold Coast.
Gold Coast scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Gold Coast leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Gold Coast | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Gold Coast is the larger city
— approximately 16.2x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Gold Coast is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Gold Coast has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Gold Coast | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 647,000 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.10% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Gold Coast
Advantages
Over 50 kilometers of world-class beaches and subtropical climate offering 229 sunny days annually
Expanding and diversified job market driven by healthcare, education, and tech sectors
Exceptional outdoor lifestyle with close proximity to lush hinterland national parks and surf breaks
Modern public transport infrastructure including the expanding G:link light rail network
High concentration of top-tier medical facilities like the Gold Coast University Hospital
Drawbacks
Competitive rental market with low vacancy rates driving up average monthly housing costs
High car dependency in suburban areas outside the main light rail corridor
Significant peak-hour traffic congestion along major coastal transport arteries
Vulnerability to seasonal weather events such as intense summer storms and coastal erosion
Cost of living indices running above the national average due to interstate migration demand
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.
Gold Coast
#5Queensland, Australia
64.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,900
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
229/yr
Avg Temp
69.90°F
Pop. Growth
2.10%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
82
Business
72
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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