Performance
Score Breakdown
Aachen
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aachen is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
34% lower compared to Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Aachen's average rent is
41% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Aachen | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $856 | $1,450 | -41% |
| Groceries | $350 | $450 | -22% |
| Utilities | $180 | $400 | -55% |
| Transport | $73 | $120 | -39% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $1,709 | $2,570 | -34% |
| Cost Index | 48 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 93% 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 Aachen is estimated at
$2,943 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Aachen | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $4,680 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $2,943 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 9,750 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $43,000 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Aachen | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 79.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Aachen.
Aachen scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Aachen leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Aachen | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 65.0/10 | 27.0/10 |
| Walkability | 80.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Low | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Aachen is the larger city
— approximately 6.5x 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, Aachen has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Aachen | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,000 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.27% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.71% | 5.60% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Aachen
Advantages
Aachen offers a high quality of life with top-notch healthcare and public transport.
The city boasts a growing economy and a strong tech hub, leading to numerous job opportunities, especially in technology and engineering.
Aachen has low crime rates, making it a safe place to live.
Its location near the borders of Belgium and the Netherlands provides excellent travel perks and a diverse cultural experience.
The cost of living, particularly rent, is more affordable compared to major German cities like Munich or Frankfurt.
Drawbacks
Aachen's weather can be a drawback, with frequent rain, especially during winter.
While English is common, a good grasp of German is often necessary for daily life and local job opportunities.
The housing market is competitive, and finding accommodation, especially for students, can involve long waiting lists.
The nightlife scene is not as extensive as in larger cities like Berlin or Cologne.
Making friends with local residents can be challenging for expats, with a lower ease-of-making-friends score compared to the global 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.
Aachen
#3North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$856
Avg Salary
$4,680
Cost Index
48
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
65.0/10
Walkability
80.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.27%
Unemployment
3.71%
Livability
74
Business
68
Grants Pass
#68Oregon, USA
68.0 / 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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