City Comparison
Columbus vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Columbus scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Columbus
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Columbus is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
35% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Columbus's average rent is
42% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Columbus | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $848 | $1,450 | -42% |
| Groceries | $350 | $450 | -22% |
| Utilities | $160 | $400 | -60% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $150 | +40% |
| Monthly Total | $1,678 | $2,570 | -35% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 25% 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 Columbus is estimated at
$35,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Columbus | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $35,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 56,471 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $42,235 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Columbus runs warmer on average — a 65.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Columbus comes out ahead with 249 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Columbus sees 2.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Columbus | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 89.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 37.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 54.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 2.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Grants Pass scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Grants Pass leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Columbus | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 25.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 35.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Columbus.
From a growth perspective, Grants Pass is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Columbus has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Columbus | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,348 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 41.1 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Columbus
Advantages
Average monthly rent of $848 is significantly lower than the national average per Apartments.com 2026 data.
Home to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle, offering robust regional healthcare access.
Rich historical heritage featuring dozens of preserved antebellum homes and vibrant cultural events.
Short average commute times of roughly 19 to 21 minutes per U.S. Census Bureau data.
Strategic location within the growing Golden Triangle economic development zone.
Drawbacks
Median household income of $42,235 trails well behind national benchmarks per Census Bureau figures.
High reliance on personal vehicles due to limited public transit options.
Poverty rate of approximately 21.3% presents ongoing socioeconomic challenges for the municipality.
Limited walkability scores outside of specific historic downtown zones.
Vulnerability to humid subtropical summer climate extremes with high seasonal temperatures.
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.
Columbus
#366Mississippi, USA
59.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$848
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
85
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
25.0/100
Walkability
35.0/100
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
65.70°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
67
Business
64
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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