City Comparison
Leavenworth vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Leavenworth scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Leavenworth
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Leavenworth is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
21% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Leavenworth's average rent is
21% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Leavenworth | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,450 | -21% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $165 | $400 | -59% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Monthly Total | $2,025 | $2,570 | -21% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 4% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Leavenworth delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Leavenworth is estimated at
$50,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Leavenworth | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,391 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $68,000 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Leavenworth runs warmer on average — a 56.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Leavenworth comes out ahead with 267 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Leavenworth sees 17.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Leavenworth | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 21.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 44.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 17.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 267 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Leavenworth.
Leavenworth scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Leavenworth leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Leavenworth | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Grants Pass is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Leavenworth has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Leavenworth | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 38,500 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.60% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Leavenworth
Advantages
Fort Leavenworth provides robust local economic stability and high-paying federal and civilian jobs.
Housing costs remain significantly more affordable than the nearby Kansas City metropolitan average.
Rich historic downtown district featuring local shops, dining, and well-preserved 19th-century architecture.
Abundant outdoor recreation options along the Missouri River and local municipal parks.
Strong sense of community with a welcoming, patriotic environment for military families and retirees.
Drawbacks
Limited public transit options make owning a personal vehicle essentially mandatory for daily life.
Local property tax rates can be relatively high compared to some surrounding Kansas counties.
Winter weather brings freezing temperatures and occasional heavy snowfall requiring careful road maintenance.
Nightlife and entertainment options are somewhat modest, requiring trips into Kansas City for major events.
Retail and dining variety is more restricted compared to larger neighboring urban centers.
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.
Leavenworth
#273Kansas, USA
61.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
267/yr
Avg Temp
56.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.60%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
72
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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