City Comparison
Athens vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Athens scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Athens
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Athens is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
13% lower than in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Athens | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,450 | -7% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $400 | -56% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $2,245 | $2,570 | -13% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 4% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Athens delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Athens is estimated at
$52,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Athens | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,391 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $53,400 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Athens runs warmer on average — a 63.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Athens comes out ahead with 248 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Athens sees 3.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Athens | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 86.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 36.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 38.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 3.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 248 | |
| 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 Athens.
Athens scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Athens leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Athens | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Athens is the larger city
— approximately 3.2x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Athens is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Athens has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Athens | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,561 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 27.5 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Athens
Advantages
Vibrant music and arts scene rooted in legendary alternative rock history and active local venues
World-class cultural and educational amenities driven by the University of Georgia
Cost of living that remains below the national average despite steady growth
Exceptional local healthcare infrastructure anchored by Piedmont Athens Regional and St. Mary's
Abundant green spaces including the State Botanical Garden of Georgia and the North Oconee River Greenway
Drawbacks
Significant traffic congestion and parking shortages during University of Georgia home football game days
Rental market volatility and higher prices driven by high student demand near downtown
Property crime rates that skew higher in densely populated student and entertainment zones
Warm and humid summer climate that can be oppressive for sensitive individuals
Limited heavy rail public transit connectivity to neighboring metropolitan hubs like Atlanta
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.
Athens
#287Georgia, USA
61.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
248/yr
Avg Temp
63.10°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
78
Business
72
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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