City Comparison
St. Louis Park vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
St. Louis Park scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
St. Louis Park
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | St. Louis Park | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,450 | +14% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $400 | -56% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Monthly Total | $2,575 | $2,570 | 0% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
St. Louis Park offers 15% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, St. Louis Park delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in St. Louis Park is estimated at
$58,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | St. Louis Park | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $74,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,519 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $88,500 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
St. Louis Park runs warmer on average — a 46.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, St. Louis Park comes out ahead with 258 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — St. Louis Park sees 31 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | St. Louis Park | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 46.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 7.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 41.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 31.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 258 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to St. Louis Park.
St. Louis Park scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, St. Louis Park leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | St. Louis Park | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
St. Louis Park is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x 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, St. Louis Park has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | St. Louis Park | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 50,138 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
St. Louis Park
Advantages
Exceptional proximity to downtown Minneapolis, offering a rapid commute via major transit and highway corridors.
Home to Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital, providing world-class healthcare access directly within city limits.
Over 50 meticulously maintained parks and extensive regional bike trail connections like the Cedar Lake Trail.
Thriving commercial and entertainment hubs like the Shops at West End with diverse dining and retail options.
Consistently high-performing public school district that continually draws families to the area.
Drawbacks
Housing costs and property taxes are noticeably higher than the national U.S. average.
Cold, harsh winter weather featuring significant snowfall accumulation typical of the Upper Midwest.
Increasing traffic congestion along major commuter arteries like Highway 100 and I-394 during peak hours.
Competitive real estate market with limited suburban housing inventory driving up purchase prices.
Property crime rates, particularly catalytic converter thefts and vehicle break-ins, align with urban-suburban metro patterns.
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.
St. Louis Park
#225Minnesota, USA
63.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$74,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
258/yr
Avg Temp
46.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
82
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
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