City Comparison
Norwalk vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Norwalk scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Norwalk
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grants Pass is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
27% lower than in Norwalk.
Housing costs are a major driver: Norwalk's average rent is
62% higher than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Norwalk | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,350 | $1,450 | +62% |
| Groceries | $520 | $450 | +16% |
| Utilities | $210 | $400 | -48% |
| Transport | $140 | $120 | +17% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $150 | +87% |
| Monthly Total | $3,500 | $2,570 | +36% |
| Cost Index | 128 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Norwalk offers 31% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Norwalk delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Norwalk is estimated at
$72,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Norwalk | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $84,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $72,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,625 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $98,500 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Norwalk runs warmer on average — a 53.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Norwalk comes out ahead with 250 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Norwalk sees 19.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Norwalk | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 24.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 44.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 19.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 250 | |
| Humidity | 64.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,000 minutes (117 hours) per year compared to Norwalk.
Norwalk scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Norwalk leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Norwalk | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Norwalk is the larger city
— approximately 2.3x 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, Norwalk has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Norwalk | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,184 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Norwalk
Advantages
Direct Metro-North commuter rail access to Grand Central Terminal in New York City
Thriving coastal lifestyle with extensive boating, marina, and beach access along Long Island Sound
Vibrant downtown SoNo district featuring diverse dining, arts, and the Maritime Aquarium
Robust local economy anchored by healthcare, professional services, and corporate headquarters
High educational attainment and strong public community engagement initiatives
Drawbacks
Cost of living and housing expenses significantly exceed the national average
Heavy commuter traffic congestion along the Interstate 95 and Route 7 corridors
Competitive real estate market with high median home purchase prices
High local property and state tax burdens typical of Fairfield County
Moderate car dependency in outer residential neighborhoods outside the urban core
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.
Norwalk
#495Connecticut, USA
53.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,350
Avg Salary
$84,000
Cost Index
128
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
250/yr
Avg Temp
53.60°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
78
Business
72
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 Norwalk and Grants Pass.
Open Cost Calculator