City Comparison
Boston vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Boston scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Boston
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grants Pass is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
24% lower than in Boston.
Housing costs are a major driver: Boston's average rent is
66% higher than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Boston | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,400 | $1,450 | +66% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $400 | -55% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $3,400 | $2,570 | +32% |
| Cost Index | 150 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Boston offers 10% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Grants Pass delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Boston is estimated at
$75,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Boston | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $70,513 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $75,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 47,009 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $97,791 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Boston runs warmer on average — a 51°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Boston comes out ahead with 250 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Boston sees 25 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Boston | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 20.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 40.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 25.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 250 | |
| Humidity | 67.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,000 minutes (117 hours) per year compared to Boston.
Boston scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Boston leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Boston | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 70.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 75.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 60.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Boston is the larger city
— approximately 16.9x 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, Boston has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Boston | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 675,647 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.17% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.70% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Boston
Advantages
Boston is recognized as a top city for healthcare, with world-class hospitals and medical facilities.
The city is a global hub for innovation, particularly in biotechnology and life sciences, attracting significant venture capital funding.
Boston offers a rich historical and cultural landscape, with numerous landmarks and a vibrant arts scene.
It is a leading center for higher education, home to prestigious universities like Harvard and MIT, which contribute to a highly educated workforce.
Boston has a strong public transit system, the MBTA, offering subway, bus, and commuter rail services, alongside high walkability scores in many neighborhoods.
Drawbacks
Boston has one of the highest costs of living in the United States, primarily driven by expensive housing.
Traffic congestion and parking difficulties can make driving in the city challenging.
The cost of healthcare, while high quality, is also among the most expensive in the nation.
Public transportation, while extensive, can face issues with reliability and service disruptions.
Winter weather in Boston can be severe, with cold temperatures, significant snowfall, and icy conditions.
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.
Boston
#582Massachusetts, USA
45.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,400
Avg Salary
$70,513
Cost Index
150
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
70.0/100
Walkability
75.0/100
Sunny Days
250/yr
Avg Temp
51.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.17%
Unemployment
4.70%
Livability
79
Business
75
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Boston and Grants Pass.
Open Cost Calculator