City Comparison
Kilmarnock vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Kilmarnock scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Kilmarnock
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Kilmarnock is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
41% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Kilmarnock's average rent is
41% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Kilmarnock | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,450 | -41% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $400 | -56% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $150 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,515 | $2,570 | -41% |
| Cost Index | 78 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 40% 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 Kilmarnock is estimated at
$31,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Kilmarnock | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $38,500 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $31,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 49,359 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $34,500 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Kilmarnock runs warmer on average — a 50.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Kilmarnock comes out ahead with 177 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Kilmarnock sees 4.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Kilmarnock | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 64.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 37.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 60.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 4.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 177 | |
| Humidity | 82.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Kilmarnock.
Kilmarnock scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Kilmarnock leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Kilmarnock | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Kilmarnock is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x 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, Kilmarnock has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Kilmarnock | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,360 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 42.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Kilmarnock
Advantages
Average home prices and rental rates are significantly lower than the Scottish national average per Registers of Scotland data.
Direct rail connections to Glasgow Central take under 40 minutes, making it ideal for commuters.
Dean Castle Country Park provides over 200 acres of accessible woodland, historic trails, and family attractions.
A strong community identity supported by local cultural institutions like the Dick Institute and Grand Hall.
Proximity to the Ayrshire coast and surrounding countryside offers exceptional weekend recreation opportunities.
Drawbacks
Higher than average annual rainfall typical of the west coast of Scotland per climate records.
Town center retail has experienced high street vacancies common among post-industrial Scottish market towns.
Certain localized urban districts face economic deprivation and pockets of higher unemployment.
Dependence on neighboring cities for specialized entertainment, nightlife, and major retail shopping.
Public transport outside peak commuting hours can experience reduced frequency.
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.
Kilmarnock
#14Scotland, UK
61.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$38,500
Cost Index
78
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
177/yr
Avg Temp
50.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
73
Business
65
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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