City Comparison
Bismarck vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bismarck scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bismarck
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Bismarck is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
28% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bismarck's average rent is
21% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Bismarck | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,450 | -21% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $170 | $400 | -58% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $150 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,850 | $2,570 | -28% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 1% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Bismarck delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Bismarck is estimated at
$52,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Bismarck | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $76,500 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Bismarck runs warmer on average — a 44.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Bismarck comes out ahead with 279 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Bismarck sees 24.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Bismarck | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 44.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 78.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 3.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 29.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 24.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 279 | |
| Humidity | 64.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Bismarck scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Bismarck leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Bismarck | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 16 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bismarck is the larger city
— approximately 1.9x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Bismarck is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Bismarck | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,131 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Bismarck
Advantages
Median home prices remain more affordable than the national average per recent regional housing reports.
Unemployment rates consistently track well below the national average due to a stable government and healthcare base.
Exceptional public safety with violent and property crime rates remaining significantly below national norms.
Short average commute times of under 20 minutes enhance daily work-life balance.
Abundant outdoor recreation access along the Missouri River and extensive local park systems.
Drawbacks
Severe winter weather brings prolonged freezing temperatures and significant snowfall that can disrupt travel.
Geographic isolation limits proximity to major metropolitan hubs and entertainment centers.
Limited public transit infrastructure makes owning a personal vehicle virtually mandatory.
Heating and utility costs spike during harsh winter months.
Air travel options from Bismarck Municipal Airport can involve layovers and higher ticket prices.
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.
Bismarck
#65North Dakota, USA
69.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
279/yr
Avg Temp
44.70°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
2.50%
Livability
78
Business
71
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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