City Comparison
Anderson vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Anderson scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Anderson
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Anderson is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
15% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Anderson's average rent is
34% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Anderson | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $957 | $1,450 | -34% |
| Groceries | $401 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $400 | -55% |
| Transport | $381 | $120 | +218% |
| Healthcare | $276 | $150 | +84% |
| Monthly Total | $2,195 | $2,570 | -15% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 22% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Anderson delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Anderson is estimated at
$34,800 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Anderson | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $50,050 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $34,800 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,583 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $46,909 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Anderson runs warmer on average — a 52.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Anderson comes out ahead with 241 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Anderson sees 19.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Anderson | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 19.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 36.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 19.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 241 | |
| Humidity | 73.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Anderson.
Anderson scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Anderson leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Anderson | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 47.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Anderson is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x 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, Anderson has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Anderson | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 56,404 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.45% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 38.9 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.70% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Anderson
Advantages
Housing costs are significantly lower than the national average, making homeownership more accessible.
The overall cost of living in Anderson is 16% lower than the national average.
The city offers practical access to jobs and regional commuting convenience due to its location on the I-69 corridor.
Healthcare costs are more affordable than the US average, with two local hospitals providing comprehensive services.
Anderson has a diverse range of local amenities, parks, and cultural attractions, contributing to a balanced lifestyle.
Drawbacks
The median household income in Anderson is lower than the national and state averages.
The poverty rate in Anderson is higher than the state average.
While public transit exists, the city is largely car-dependent, with most residents driving to work.
Rent prices have seen a recent increase, with a 6.4% rise year over year as of October 2026.
The average salary in Anderson is lower than the national 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.
Anderson
#109Indiana, USA
67.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$957
Avg Salary
$50,050
Cost Index
84
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
47.0/100
Sunny Days
241/yr
Avg Temp
52.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.45%
Unemployment
3.70%
Livability
74
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 Anderson and Grants Pass.
Open Cost Calculator