City Comparison
Vernon vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Vernon scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Vernon
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Vernon is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
8% lower than in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Vernon | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,450 | 0% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $160 | $400 | -60% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Monthly Total | $2,360 | $2,570 | -8% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 10% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Vernon delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Vernon is estimated at
$52,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Vernon | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,184 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $65,000 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Vernon runs warmer on average — a 51.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Vernon comes out ahead with 273 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Vernon sees 34.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Vernon | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 24.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 19.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 34.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 273 | |
| Humidity | 60.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Vernon scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Vernon leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Vernon | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Vernon is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Vernon is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Vernon has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Vernon | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,500 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 47.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Vernon
Advantages
Proximity to world-class outdoor recreation, including SilverStar Mountain Resort and Kalamalka Lake.
A favorable climate with warm summers and distinct, manageable winters compared to other Canadian regions.
A thriving local arts, culture, and farm-to-table culinary scene tied to the Okanagan Valley.
Robust regional healthcare infrastructure anchored by the Vernon Jubilee Hospital.
A strong sense of community and family-friendly atmosphere with active neighborhood associations.
Drawbacks
Housing affordability has decreased significantly due to high demand and inward migration.
Public transit options are limited outside of core urban routes, leading to high car dependency.
Job market opportunities in specialized tech or corporate sectors can be limited locally compared to major metros.
Seasonal wildfire smoke from regional forest fires can impact summer air quality and outdoor activities.
Property crime rates, particularly petty theft and bike thefts, remain a localized challenge.
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.
Vernon
#53British Columbia, Canada
59.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
273/yr
Avg Temp
51.50°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
80
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Vernon and Grants Pass.
Open Cost Calculator