City Comparison
Burnie vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Burnie scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Burnie
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Burnie is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
45% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Burnie's average rent is
69% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Burnie | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $455 | $1,450 | -69% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $400 | -55% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $1,405 | $2,570 | -45% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 19% lower 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 Burnie is estimated at
$55,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Burnie | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 54,737 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $62,000 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Burnie runs warmer on average — a 54.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Burnie comes out ahead with 239 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Burnie sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Burnie | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 53.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 53.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 37.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 239 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Burnie.
Burnie scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Burnie leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Burnie | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Burnie.
From a growth perspective, Burnie is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Grants Pass has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Burnie | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 19,918 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 8.10% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Burnie
Advantages
Affordable housing market with median house prices around $575,000 and units at $320,000.
Stable rental market with yields of 4.5% for houses and 4.9% for units.
Rich natural environment with accessible wilderness, beaches, and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Growing focus on renewable energy and diversification of the economy.
Strong community spirit and a relaxed pace of life, appealing to families and retirees.
Drawbacks
Higher unemployment rate compared to the national average.
Median household income is lower than the national median.
Some online discussions mention concerns about drug and alcohol problems in certain areas.
The CBD can be perceived as 'grim' by some residents.
Limited shopping options and paid parking mentioned as drawbacks by some residents.
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.
Burnie
#18Tasmania, Australia
56.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$455
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
239/yr
Avg Temp
54.50°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
8.10%
Livability
74
Business
68
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 Burnie and Grants Pass.
Open Cost Calculator