City Comparison
Lumsden vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lumsden scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lumsden
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Lumsden is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
34% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lumsden's average rent is
34% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Lumsden | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,450 | -34% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $160 | $400 | -60% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $50 | $150 | -67% |
| Monthly Total | $1,690 | $2,570 | -34% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 30% 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 Lumsden is estimated at
$40,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Lumsden | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $40,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 54,878 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $48,000 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Lumsden runs warmer on average — a 49.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Lumsden comes out ahead with 195 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lumsden sees 13.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lumsden | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 49.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 47.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 47.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 55.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 13.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 195 | |
| Humidity | 78.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Lumsden has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Grants Pass.
Grants Pass scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Lumsden leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Lumsden | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 15.00 | |
| 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, Lumsden has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Lumsden | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 450 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 42.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Lumsden
Advantages
Median home prices in Southland remain significantly more affordable than the national New Zealand average per REINZ data.
Extremely low crime rates provide a safe, secure environment for families and retirees.
Proximity to world-class trout fishing rivers and the Around the Mountains Cycle Trail offers unmatched outdoor recreation.
A strong, welcoming community spirit with active local clubs and volunteer organizations.
Peaceful rural atmosphere with minimal traffic congestion and clean southern air.
Drawbacks
Limited local employment diversity, heavily dependent on the agricultural and farming sectors.
Scarcity of rental housing options makes finding accommodation challenging for newcomers.
High car dependency with virtually no local public transit network.
Distance from major urban centers means traveling over an hour for specialized shopping and secondary healthcare.
Cooler winter climate requires higher expenditure on residential heating.
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.
Lumsden
#12Southland, New Zealand
67.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$45,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
195/yr
Avg Temp
49.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
75
Business
62
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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