City Comparison
Boulder vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Boulder scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Boulder
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 Boulder.
Housing costs are a major driver: Boulder's average rent is
65% higher than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Boulder | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,395 | $1,450 | +65% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $400 | -55% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $3,395 | $2,570 | +32% |
| Cost Index | 128 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Boulder offers 21% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Boulder delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Boulder is estimated at
$68,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Boulder | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $68,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,938 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $87,493 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Boulder runs warmer on average — a 50.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Boulder comes out ahead with 282 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Boulder sees 31.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Boulder | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 19.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 16.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 31.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 282 | |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Boulder.
Boulder scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Boulder leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Boulder | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Low | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Boulder is the larger city
— approximately 2.6x 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, Boulder has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Boulder | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,689 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Boulder
Advantages
Unmatched access to open space and outdoor recreation, with over 300 days of annual sunshine and miles of direct trail access.
Exceptionally high educational attainment levels, with over 75% of residents holding a bachelor's degree or advanced qualification.
Thriving innovation and tech startup ecosystem fueled by proximity to the University of Colorado Boulder and federal research labs.
Robust multi-modal transportation infrastructure featuring extensive bike paths, pedestrian corridors, and reliable regional transit.
Active, health-conscious community culture emphasizing sustainability, organic foods, and active wellness.
Drawbacks
Significantly high cost of living and housing market pressures, with average monthly rent exceeding $2,300.
Limited ethnic and racial diversity compared to broader metropolitan benchmarks in Colorado.
Competitive real estate environment making homeownership challenging for median-income earners.
Traffic congestion along major regional corridors during peak commuting hours to and from Denver.
Strict growth boundaries driving up commercial lease rates for local small businesses and startups.
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.
Boulder
#467Colorado, USA
54.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,395
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
128
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
282/yr
Avg Temp
50.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
88
Business
80
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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