City Comparison
Blacksburg vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Blacksburg scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Blacksburg
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grants Pass is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Blacksburg.
Housing costs are a major driver: Blacksburg's average rent is
29% higher than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Blacksburg | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,870 | $1,450 | +29% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $400 | -55% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $2,870 | $2,570 | +12% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 5% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Blacksburg delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Blacksburg is estimated at
$66,480 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Blacksburg | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,022 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $66,480 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,267 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $50,182 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Blacksburg runs warmer on average — a 54.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Blacksburg comes out ahead with 241 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Blacksburg sees 16.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Blacksburg | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 24.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 37.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 16.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 241 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Blacksburg has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Grants Pass.
Blacksburg scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Blacksburg leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Blacksburg | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 50.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 43.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Blacksburg is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x 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, Blacksburg has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Blacksburg | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,446 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.25% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 21.9 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 5.60% |
| GDP | $2.8B | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Blacksburg
Advantages
Blacksburg boasts a very short average commute time of 14.8 minutes, significantly less than the national average.
The town is highly bike-friendly, with a Bike Score of 65, ranking it as the second most bikeable city in Virginia.
A strong job market in education, research, and technology, driven by Virginia Tech, saw a 1.93% job growth rate in 2024.
The presence of Virginia Tech fosters a youthful demographic and a vibrant cultural and intellectual environment.
Access to extensive outdoor recreational opportunities in the Appalachian Mountains, including numerous trails.
Drawbacks
The median household income of $50,182 in 2024 is considerably lower than the state average for Virginia.
The homeownership rate of 35.8% in 2024 is significantly below the national average, indicating a competitive and potentially expensive rental market.
The overall Walk Score of 43 suggests that most errands require a car, limiting pedestrian convenience in many areas.
The unemployment rate of 5.2% in 2026 is slightly higher than the national average.
The cost of living index, while moderate, can be challenging for residents given the lower median household income.
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.
Blacksburg
#485Virginia, USA
53.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,870
Avg Salary
$61,022
Cost Index
98
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
50.0/100
Walkability
43.0/100
Sunny Days
241/yr
Avg Temp
54.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.25%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
78
Business
70
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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