City Comparison
Passaic vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Passaic scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Passaic
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grants Pass is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
16% lower than in Passaic.
Housing costs are a major driver: Passaic's average rent is
47% higher than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Passaic | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,125 | $1,450 | +47% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $180 | $400 | -55% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $3,065 | $2,570 | +19% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 10% 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 Passaic is estimated at
$62,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Passaic | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,704 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $55,371 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Passaic runs warmer on average — a 54.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Passaic comes out ahead with 251 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Passaic sees 20.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Passaic | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 24.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 42.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 20.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 251 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,000 minutes (117 hours) per year compared to Passaic.
Passaic scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Passaic leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Passaic | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 68.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 82.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Passaic is the larger city
— approximately 1.8x 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 | Passaic | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,337 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.35% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.70% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Passaic
Advantages
Average rent of $2,125 offers a more accessible entry point into the New York metro area compared to nearby towns
Exceptional transit connectivity via NJ Transit rail and bus lines offering direct routes to New York City
Rich cultural diversity reflected in a vibrant culinary scene, local festivals, and active commercial districts
High urban walkability with dense neighborhood amenities and local parks situated along the Passaic River
Strategic geographic location within Passaic County providing rapid access to major highways like Route 21 and the Garden State Parkway
Drawbacks
Median household income of $55,371 lags behind the broader New Jersey state and county averages
High population density creates persistent challenges regarding street parking, traffic congestion, and limited open space
Local poverty rate of approximately 22.9% presents ongoing socio-economic hurdles for municipal services
Aged housing stock often requires significant maintenance and modernization investments for property owners
Proximity to major industrial corridors contributes to local environmental and air quality management challenges
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.
Passaic
#560New Jersey, USA
47.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,125
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
68.0/100
Walkability
82.0/100
Sunny Days
251/yr
Avg Temp
54.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.35%
Unemployment
5.70%
Livability
71
Business
67
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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