City Comparison
Brighton vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Brighton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Brighton
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grants Pass is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Brighton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Brighton's average rent is
21% higher than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Brighton | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,450 | +21% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $170 | $400 | -58% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $150 | +60% |
| Monthly Total | $2,710 | $2,570 | +5% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Brighton offers 10% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Brighton delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Brighton is estimated at
$60,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Brighton | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $71,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,608 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $85,000 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Brighton runs warmer on average — a 53°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Brighton comes out ahead with 282 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Brighton sees 23.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Brighton | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 20.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 17.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 23.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 282 | |
| Humidity | 48.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to Brighton.
Brighton scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Brighton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Brighton | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Brighton is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Brighton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Brighton has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Brighton | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 41,543 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.10% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Brighton
Advantages
Median home prices and rental rates offer better affordability compared to downtown Denver and Boulder.
Abundant outdoor recreation options including over 30 city parks and the Adams County Fairgrounds.
Strategic location along I-76 and US-85 provides convenient access to Denver International Airport and the broader metro area.
Strong sense of community highlighted by popular annual local events, farmers markets, and historic downtown revitalization.
Family-friendly neighborhoods with growing educational facilities and youth community programs.
Drawbacks
High reliance on personal vehicles leads to significant commuter traffic on major highways during peak hours.
Rapid regional growth has placed upward pressure on housing costs and infrastructure development.
Limited high-end nightlife and entertainment options directly within city limits compared to central Denver.
Weather variability with occasional heavy spring snowstorms and dry summer conditions affecting local landscaping.
Public transit coverage is limited outside of commuter bus lines and major arterial corridors.
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.
Brighton
#155Colorado, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$71,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
282/yr
Avg Temp
53.00°F
Pop. Growth
2.10%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
75
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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