Performance
Score Breakdown
Paragould
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Paragould is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
24% lower compared to Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Paragould's average rent is
34% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Paragould | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,450 | -34% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $400 | -55% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $1,950 | $2,570 | -24% |
| Cost Index | 74 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 36% 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 Paragould is estimated at
$66,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Paragould | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $41,176 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $66,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 55,643 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $56,980 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Paragould | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Paragould.
Grants Pass scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Grants Pass leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Paragould | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 25.0/10 | 27.0/10 |
| Walkability | 35.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Paragould.
From a growth perspective, Paragould is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Paragould has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Paragould | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 31,135 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.40% | 5.60% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Paragould
Advantages
Paragould's cost of living is 26% below the national average, making it highly affordable.
The city is experiencing significant growth, ranking among Arkansas's fastest-growing cities with a 1.2% annual population increase.
Residents have access to highly-rated school districts and a modern community center with an aquatic park.
The local economy shows strong employment growth, particularly in manufacturing and healthcare.
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities are available, including state parks, hiking trails, and fishing lakes.
Drawbacks
Some healthcare quality metrics, such as pulmonary mortality at the main hospital, have been rated 'worse than expected'.
The city is highly car-dependent, with limited public transit options and an average commute time of 22.8 minutes.
While overall cost of living is low, certain utility costs for renters can be higher than the national average.
The median individual income is lower than the median household income, suggesting a need for dual-income households or careful budgeting for single earners.
Walkability and transit scores are likely low due to the car-centric nature of the city, limiting options for those without personal vehicles.
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.
Paragould
#21Arkansas, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$41,176
Cost Index
74
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
25.0/10
Walkability
35.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
4.40%
Livability
74
Business
68
Grants Pass
#64Oregon, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$64,331
Cost Index
112
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
27.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
5.60%
Livability
70
Business
60
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