City Comparison
Williston vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Williston scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Williston
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Williston is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
14% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Williston's average rent is
14% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Williston | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,249 | $1,450 | -14% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $400 | -55% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $2,199 | $2,570 | -14% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 30% 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 Williston is estimated at
$43,956 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Williston | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,046 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $43,956 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 47,417 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $79,381 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Williston runs warmer on average — a 43.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Williston comes out ahead with 288 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Williston sees 23 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Williston | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 43.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 77.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 2.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 17.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 23.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 288 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Grants Pass 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 | Williston | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Williston.
From a growth perspective, Grants Pass is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Williston has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Williston | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 29,401 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 32.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Williston
Advantages
The unemployment rate in Williston is significantly lower than the national average, standing at 2.50% in August 2026.
Williston offers a relatively short average commute time of 17.6 minutes, less than the national average.
The city provides ample outdoor recreation opportunities, including access to the Missouri River and Lake Sakakawea for water sports, fishing, and hunting.
The average rent in Williston is 34% lower than the national average, making it a more affordable place to live for renters.
Williston has a strong sense of community and friendly residents, contributing to a welcoming atmosphere.
Drawbacks
The overall crime rate in Williston is 29.9% higher than the national average, with a violent crime rate 21.8% higher.
Public transportation options are limited, making the city highly car-dependent.
Some residents express concerns about safety, particularly regarding walking alone at night.
While growing, the city is noted by some as lacking in diverse attractions and shopping compared to larger cities.
The population has shown a recent annual decline of -0.41%, suggesting a potential slowdown in growth.
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.
Williston
#293North Dakota, USA
61.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,249
Avg Salary
$45,046
Cost Index
95
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
30.0/100
Sunny Days
288/yr
Avg Temp
43.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
2.50%
Livability
70
Business
75
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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