City Comparison
Mankato vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Mankato scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Mankato
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mankato is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
21% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Mankato's average rent is
21% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Mankato | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,450 | -21% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $170 | $400 | -58% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $2,040 | $2,570 | -21% |
| Cost Index | 91 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 4% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Mankato delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Mankato is estimated at
$48,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Mankato | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,132 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $65,400 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Mankato runs warmer on average — a 48.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Mankato comes out ahead with 258 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Mankato sees 25.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Mankato | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 48.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 9.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 38.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 25.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 258 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Mankato scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Mankato leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Mankato | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Mankato is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Mankato is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Mankato has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Mankato | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,488 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 30.5 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Mankato
Advantages
Median home prices in Mankato remain well below the national average per 2024 Zillow data.
Mayo Clinic Health System provides top-tier regional healthcare and major employment opportunities.
Minnesota State University, Mankato infuses the city with cultural events, sports, and a youthful energy.
Extensive outdoor recreation network featuring Riverfront Park and miles of paved biking trails.
Consistently lower unemployment rate compared to the national average per Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Drawbacks
Winters are long and harsh, with significant snowfall and freezing temperatures.
Public transit options are limited outside of core bus routes and the immediate university area.
Rental vacancy rates can tighten significantly during the academic fall semester startup.
Limited direct access to commercial air travel, requiring a trip to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Higher than average state income taxes typical of Minnesota apply to local earners.
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.
Mankato
#110Minnesota, USA
66.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
91
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
258/yr
Avg Temp
48.10°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
77
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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