City Comparison
Hamden vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Hamden scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hamden
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grants Pass is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
17% lower than in Hamden.
Housing costs are a major driver: Hamden's average rent is
45% higher than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Hamden | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,100 | $1,450 | +45% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $185 | $400 | -54% |
| Transport | $125 | $120 | +4% |
| Healthcare | $260 | $150 | +73% |
| Monthly Total | $3,090 | $2,570 | +20% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Hamden offers 12% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Hamden delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Hamden is estimated at
$62,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Hamden | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $98,306 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Hamden runs warmer on average — a 51.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Hamden comes out ahead with 248 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Hamden sees 23.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Hamden | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 21.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 45.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 23.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 248 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Hamden.
Hamden scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Hamden leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hamden | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Hamden is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x 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, Hamden has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Hamden | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,045 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hamden
Advantages
Median household income in Hamden stands at a strong $98,306, outperforming the national average.
Proximity to world-class outdoor recreation, highlighted by the iconic Sleeping Giant State Park.
Convenient access to major employment centers in New Haven and academic institutions like Quinnipiac University.
Diverse residential neighborhoods offering everything from historic character to modern suburban developments.
Active municipal programming and community events hosted regularly at Town Center Park.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living and property taxes run higher than the national median.
Certain transit routes rely heavily on car travel, leading to peak-hour congestion along major arteries like Route 10.
Rental inventory can experience tight competition due to proximity to regional universities.
Winter weather brings heavy snowfall averaging over 23 inches annually, requiring active municipal snow removal.
Property prices have faced upward pressure, making entry-level homeownership more competitive.
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.
Hamden
#208Connecticut, USA
63.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,100
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
248/yr
Avg Temp
51.90°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
76
Business
70
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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