City Comparison
Ashland vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Ashland scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Ashland
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ashland is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
31% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Ashland's average rent is
41% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Ashland | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,450 | -41% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $400 | -55% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Monthly Total | $1,770 | $2,570 | -31% |
| 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, Ashland delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Ashland is estimated at
$42,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Ashland | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,415 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $52,715 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Ashland runs warmer on average — a 56.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Ashland comes out ahead with 238 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Ashland sees 23.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Ashland | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 24.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 42.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 23.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 238 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Ashland.
Ashland scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Ashland leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Ashland | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Ashland.
From a growth perspective, Grants Pass is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Ashland has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Ashland | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,295 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.50% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Ashland
Advantages
Average rent of $850 per month is nearly 50% lower than the national average per Zillow data
Median home values and overall cost of living index sit well below the U.S. average
Serves as a designated regional healthcare and commercial hub for northeastern Kentucky
Rich cultural amenities including the historic Paramount Arts Center and expansive Central Park
Short average commute times and minimal traffic congestion compared to major metro areas
Drawbacks
Median household income of $52,715 trails behind state and national benchmarks per U.S. Census Bureau data
Job growth has remained flat with historical population contraction trends
High reliance on automobile transportation due to limited public transit infrastructure
Limited high-tech or diverse corporate industry sectors within city limits
Poverty rates remain elevated relative to the broader 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.
Ashland
#394Kentucky, USA
58.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
238/yr
Avg Temp
56.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.50%
Livability
72
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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