City Comparison
Magdeburg vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Magdeburg scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Magdeburg
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Magdeburg is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
41% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Magdeburg's average rent is
48% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Magdeburg | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $750 | $1,450 | -48% |
| Groceries | $350 | $450 | -22% |
| Utilities | $220 | $400 | -45% |
| Transport | $55 | $120 | -54% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,525 | $2,570 | -41% |
| Cost Index | 65 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 30% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Magdeburg delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Magdeburg is estimated at
$38,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Magdeburg | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $38,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,231 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $48,000 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Magdeburg runs warmer on average — a 52°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Magdeburg comes out ahead with 265 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Magdeburg sees 10.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Magdeburg | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 76.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 31.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 20.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 10.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 265 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Magdeburg.
Magdeburg scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Magdeburg leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Magdeburg | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 75.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Magdeburg is the larger city
— approximately 6x 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, Grants Pass has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Magdeburg | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 239,364 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 43.2 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 7.80% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Magdeburg
Advantages
Average rent prices remain roughly 30% below the German national average per Numbeo 2025 data.
Extensive network of cycling paths and green spaces along the Elbe River enhance outdoor recreation.
Strategic central European location with robust railway and motorway connectivity.
Presence of Otto von Guericke University drives strong research, innovation, and a vibrant student culture.
High availability of family-friendly public infrastructure and accessible childcare.
Drawbacks
Average gross salaries are lower compared to western German metropolitan economic centers.
Regional economic growth relies heavily on traditional manufacturing sectors adapting to green transitions.
Public administrative processes can occasionally experience bureaucratic delays.
Winters can be overcast with limited sunlight hours typical of eastern Germany.
Nightlife and high-culture entertainment options are more limited than in major global hubs.
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.
Magdeburg
#23Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
64.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$750
Avg Salary
$45,000
Cost Index
65
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
75.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
265/yr
Avg Temp
52.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
7.80%
Livability
74
Business
68
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Magdeburg and Grants Pass.
Open Cost Calculator