City Comparison
Grants Pass vs Grand Rapids
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Grand Rapids scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Grants Pass
Grand Rapids
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grants Pass is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
4% lower compared to Grand Rapids.
| Metric | Grants Pass | Grand Rapids | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,500 | -3% |
| Groceries | $450 | $650 | -31% |
| Utilities | $400 | $235 | +70% |
| Transport | $120 | $150 | -20% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $152 | -1% |
| Monthly Total | $2,570 | $2,687 | -4% |
| Cost Index | 112 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 30% higher 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 Grants Pass is estimated at
$58,000 vs $41,000 in Grand Rapids.
| Metric | Grants Pass | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,331 | $49,334 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $41,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,438 idx | 51,931 idx |
| Household Income | $59,646 | $69,108 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Grants Pass | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 74.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Grand Rapids scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Grand Rapids leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Grants Pass | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 27.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 21.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grand Rapids is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x 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, Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Grants Pass | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,051 | 201,357 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | 0.09% |
| Median Age | 40.8 | 32.3 |
| Unemployment | 5.60% | 3.60% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Grand Rapids
Advantages
The cost of living in Grand Rapids is approximately 5% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Grand Rapids boasts a diverse and growing job market, particularly in manufacturing, healthcare, and technology sectors, with a projected job growth rate of 0.2% in 2026.
The city has a relatively young median age of 32.3 years, contributing to a dynamic and energetic community.
Grand Rapids was ranked among the best cities in the country for starting a career in May 2026, indicating a strong entrepreneurial and professional environment.
The presence of major healthcare institutions like Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital ensures high-quality medical care and a significant number of facilities.
Drawbacks
Grand Rapids has a higher crime rate compared to most communities in Michigan, with a 1 in 30 chance of being a victim of violent or property crime.
While overall cost of living is lower, healthcare costs in Grand Rapids are about 4.1% higher than the national average.
The city's unemployment rate, at 3.6% in April 2026, is slightly above the national average of 4.198%.
Despite efforts to improve, public transit options and walkability scores are not exceptionally high, suggesting a medium car dependency for residents.
The housing market is competitive, with homes selling quickly and median prices increasing by 3.4% year-over-year as of May 2026.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Grand Rapids
#60Michigan, USA
62.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,500
Avg Salary
$49,334
Cost Index
95
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.09%
Unemployment
3.60%
Livability
74
Business
70
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