City Comparison
Salina vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Salina scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Salina
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Salina is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
27% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Salina's average rent is
37% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Salina | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $920 | $1,450 | -37% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $400 | -55% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $1,870 | $2,570 | -27% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Salina offers 2% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Salina delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Salina is estimated at
$36,792 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Salina | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,745 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $36,792 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 80,177 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $61,783 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Salina runs warmer on average — a 57.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Salina comes out ahead with 280 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Salina sees 16.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Salina | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 88.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 20.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 26.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 16.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 280 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Salina has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Grants Pass.
Salina 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 | Salina | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 39.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Salina is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x 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, Salina has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Salina | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 46,307 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Salina
Advantages
Affordable cost of living, with housing costs significantly below the national average.
Diverse and robust economy with key industries in manufacturing, healthcare, and agriculture.
Shorter than average commute times, with an average of 14.8 minutes.
Strong sense of community and family-friendly atmosphere.
Regional healthcare and educational hub for North Central Kansas.
Drawbacks
Car-dependent with limited public transportation and low walkability scores.
Crime rates, particularly violent crime, are higher than the national average.
Limited entertainment and dining options compared to larger cities.
Population has shown a declining trend in recent years.
Property crime rate remains above the Kansas average.
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.
Salina
#129Kansas, USA
66.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$920
Avg Salary
$65,745
Cost Index
82
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
39.0/100
Sunny Days
280/yr
Avg Temp
57.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.90%
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
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