City Comparison
Albany vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Albany scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Albany
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Albany is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
29% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Albany's average rent is
34% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Albany | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,450 | -34% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $400 | -56% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $150 | +40% |
| Monthly Total | $1,825 | $2,570 | -29% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 25% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Albany delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Albany is estimated at
$42,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Albany | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,537 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $43,500 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Albany runs warmer on average — a 68.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Albany comes out ahead with 250 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Albany sees 3.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Albany | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 68.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 91.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 41.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 38.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 3.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 250 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Albany scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Albany | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 40.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Albany is the larger city
— approximately 1.7x 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, Albany has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Albany | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 69,634 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Albany
Advantages
Median home purchase prices and overall cost of living are significantly lower than the national average per US Census Bureau data.
Phoebe Putney Health System provides advanced medical care and serves as a major regional healthcare hub.
Abundant outdoor recreational assets include the Flint River, Radium Springs Gardens, and Chehaw Park and Zoo.
Rich cultural and historical heritage anchored by the Albany Civil Rights Institute and Ray Charles Plaza.
Short average commute times compared to major metropolitan traffic centers.
Drawbacks
Property and violent crime rates exceed national medians per FBI crime data summaries.
Local median household incomes lag behind national benchmarks, limiting higher wage growth.
Public transit options are limited, resulting in high car dependency for daily commuting and errands.
Hot and humid summer climate conditions can be intense for residents sensitive to high temperatures.
Slower commercial retail diversification compared to larger growing Georgia urban centers.
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.
Albany
#522Georgia, USA
51.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
40.0/100
Sunny Days
250/yr
Avg Temp
68.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
63
Business
58
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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