City Comparison
Altoona vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Altoona scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Altoona
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Altoona is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
27% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Altoona's average rent is
31% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Altoona | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,000 | $1,450 | -31% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $400 | -56% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Monthly Total | $1,885 | $2,570 | -27% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 19% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Altoona delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Altoona is estimated at
$45,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Altoona | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,415 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $51,250 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Altoona runs warmer on average — a 51.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Altoona comes out ahead with 227 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Altoona sees 25.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Altoona | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 20.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 41.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 25.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 227 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Altoona scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Altoona leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Altoona | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Altoona is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x 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, Altoona has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Altoona | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 43,196 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Altoona
Advantages
Median home property values in Altoona remain exceptionally affordable at roughly $161,000 per Zillow and Census data.
Average monthly rent is approximately $1,000, sitting roughly 40% below the national average per Zillow.
Average commute times are short, typically hovering around 18 to 20 minutes per U.S. Census Bureau data.
Proximity to stunning outdoor recreational destinations like the Horseshoe Curve and Canoe Creek State Park.
Low violent crime rates provide a peaceful and secure environment for families and retirees.
Drawbacks
Economic growth and population trends show a slight multi-year decline per U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
Median household income trails both state and national benchmarks significantly.
Limited high-paying corporate or advanced tech job opportunities locally compared to larger metro areas.
Public transit options are relatively limited, making owning a personal vehicle virtually essential.
winters bring cold temperatures and heavy seasonal snowfall requiring winterized preparation.
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.
Altoona
#285Pennsylvania, USA
61.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,000
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
227/yr
Avg Temp
51.10°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
73
Business
62
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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