City Comparison
Corvallis vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Corvallis scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Corvallis
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grants Pass is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in Corvallis.
Housing costs are a major driver: Corvallis's average rent is
28% higher than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Corvallis | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,858 | $1,450 | +28% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $400 | -56% |
| Transport | $95 | $120 | -21% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $2,778 | $2,570 | +8% |
| Cost Index | 112 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Corvallis offers 15% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Corvallis delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Corvallis is estimated at
$62,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Corvallis | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $74,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,071 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $65,012 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Corvallis runs warmer on average — a 54°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Corvallis comes out ahead with 246 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Corvallis sees 6.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Corvallis | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 36.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 43.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 6.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 246 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Corvallis scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Corvallis leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Corvallis | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 65.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 70.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Low | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Corvallis is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x 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, Corvallis has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Corvallis | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,499 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.70% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 27.9 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Corvallis
Advantages
Average hourly wages in the Corvallis metro area outperform the national average at $35.58 per hour per May 2025 BLS data.
Exceptional bicycling infrastructure and a free municipal transit system (CTS) reduce car dependency.
Proximity to world-class outdoor recreation, including the Cascade Mountains and Willamette Valley wine country.
Top-tier healthcare access anchored by Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center.
Extremely low violent crime rates compared to national and state averages.
Drawbacks
Housing and rental costs are significantly higher than the national average due to geographical and regulatory constraints.
Low rental vacancy rates during peak academic transition periods create intense competition for housing.
Poverty rate statistics are statistically elevated due to a high concentration of student residents with minimal reported income.
Prone to prolonged overcast and rainy periods during the autumn and winter seasons.
Limited commercial flight options out of the local municipal airport require travel to Eugene or Portland.
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.
Corvallis
#445Oregon, USA
55.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,858
Avg Salary
$74,000
Cost Index
112
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
65.0/100
Walkability
70.0/100
Sunny Days
246/yr
Avg Temp
54.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
82
Business
72
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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