City Comparison
Appleton vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Appleton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Appleton
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Appleton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
21% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Appleton's average rent is
21% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Appleton | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,450 | -21% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $400 | -56% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Monthly Total | $2,035 | $2,570 | -21% |
| Cost Index | 91 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 4% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Appleton delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Appleton is estimated at
$48,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Appleton | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,132 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $71,500 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Appleton runs warmer on average — a 46.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Appleton comes out ahead with 263 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Appleton sees 37.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Appleton | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 46.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 12.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 30.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 37.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 263 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Appleton scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Appleton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Appleton | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Appleton is the larger city
— approximately 1.9x 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, Appleton has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Appleton | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 75,644 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Appleton
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain significantly below the national average per US Census data.
Consistently low crime rates rank Appleton among the safest mid-sized cities in the Midwest.
A thriving downtown district featuring the Fox Cities PAC, local dining, and boutique shopping.
Robust local economy anchored by major healthcare and manufacturing employers ensuring stable employment.
Abundant outdoor recreational access via Riverside Park and the extensive Fox River trail system.
Drawbacks
Winters are long, cold, and bring significant snowfall averaging nearly 38 inches annually.
Public transit options outside of core downtown areas are limited, making car ownership nearly essential.
Limited racial diversity compared to larger national metropolitan areas.
Humid summer months can occasionally bring high discomfort levels.
Fluctuation in seasonal weather can impact outdoor event planning and infrastructure maintenance costs.
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.
Appleton
#51Wisconsin, USA
70.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
91
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
263/yr
Avg Temp
46.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
80
Business
74
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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