City Comparison
Salt Lake City vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Salt Lake City scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Salt Lake City
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grants Pass is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
12% higher compared to Salt Lake City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Salt Lake City's average rent is
11% higher than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Salt Lake City | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,606 | $1,450 | +11% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $315 | $400 | -21% |
| Transport | $376 | $120 | +213% |
| Healthcare | $135 | $150 | -10% |
| Monthly Total | $2,882 | $2,570 | +12% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 2% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Salt Lake City delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Salt Lake City is estimated at
$65,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Salt Lake City | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,823 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,831 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $75,090 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Salt Lake City runs warmer on average — a 55.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Salt Lake City comes out ahead with 295 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Salt Lake City sees 46.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Salt Lake City | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 91.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 26.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 25.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 46.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 295 | |
| Humidity | 55.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Salt Lake City.
Salt Lake City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Salt Lake City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Salt Lake City | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/10 | 27.0/10 |
| Walkability | 55.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 22.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Salt Lake City is the larger city
— approximately 5.6x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Salt Lake City is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Salt Lake City | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 222,706 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.96% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 5.60% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Salt Lake City
Advantages
Exceptional access to outdoor recreation, including world-class skiing and hiking, is available within a short drive.
The job market is thriving, particularly in tech, healthcare, and professional services, with a 1.3% job growth rate in 2025.
Salt Lake City boasts a vibrant cultural scene, including a lively downtown, diverse dining, and arts.
Utilities costs are approximately 16% lower than the national average, helping to offset other expenses.
The city has a relatively young median age of 32.9 years, contributing to a dynamic and active community.
Drawbacks
The cost of living is higher than the national average, primarily driven by housing expenses which are 20% more expensive.
Salt Lake City experiences periods of poor air quality, especially during winter inversions.
Traffic congestion is a notable issue, and public transportation options are considered limited, leading to medium car dependency.
The median household income, while competitive, is lower than the state average.
The city's rapid growth has led to increased demand for housing and infrastructure, contributing to affordability 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.
Salt Lake City
#65Utah, USA
61.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,606
Avg Salary
$62,823
Cost Index
105
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
295/yr
Avg Temp
55.50°F
Pop. Growth
1.96%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
76
Business
72
Grants Pass
#133Oregon, USA
49.2 / 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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