Performance
Score Breakdown
Grants Pass
Schenectady
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grants Pass is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
17% lower compared to Schenectady.
| Metric | Grants Pass | Schenectady | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,425 | +2% |
| Groceries | $450 | $442 | +2% |
| Utilities | $400 | $323 | +24% |
| Transport | $120 | $899 | -87% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,570 | $3,089 | -17% |
| Cost Index | 112 | 99 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 16% 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 $70,000 in Schenectady.
| Metric | Grants Pass | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,331 | $55,374 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $70,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,438 idx | 55,933 idx |
| Household Income | $59,646 | $58,399 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Grants Pass | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 74.00% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Schenectady.
Schenectady scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Schenectady leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Grants Pass | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 27.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Schenectady is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Schenectady is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Grants Pass | Schenectady |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,051 | 68,847 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 40.8 | 36.1 |
| Unemployment | 5.60% | 5.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $11.3B |
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.
Schenectady
Advantages
Exceptional Livability Score of 78/100 [22].
Cost of living is 18% lower than the New York State average [22].
Median sale price of homes increased by 6.2% year-over-year as of June 2026 [25].
Revitalized downtown area with growing tech firms and cultural attractions [41].
Schenectady County experienced a 5% GDP growth in 2023 [8].
Drawbacks
High crime rates, with a safety grade of 'F' and violent crime rates significantly above national averages [8, 22].
Homeownership rate (45.6%) is lower than the national average (65.2%) [3].
Median household income ($58,399) is lower than the national average.
Moderate public transit score of 50/100 [27].
Higher than average transportation costs (5% higher than national average) [21].
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Grants Pass
#88Oregon, USA
68.0 / 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
Schenectady
#68New York, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,425
Avg Salary
$55,374
Cost Index
99
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
50.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.00%
Unemployment
5.00%
Livability
78
Business
65
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