City Comparison
Covington vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Covington scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Covington
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Covington is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
17% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Covington's average rent is
14% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Covington | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,450 | -14% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $170 | $400 | -58% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $2,140 | $2,570 | -17% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 5% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Covington delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Covington is estimated at
$48,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Covington | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,304 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Covington runs warmer on average — a 55.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Covington comes out ahead with 236 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Covington sees 23.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Covington | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 23.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 47.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 23.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 236 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Covington.
Covington scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Covington leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Covington | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 64.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Covington is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Grants Pass is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Covington has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Covington | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,939 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Covington
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain significantly lower than the national average and neighboring Cincinnati.
Exceptional historic architecture and walkable urban neighborhoods like MainStrasse Village and Licking Riverside.
Proximity to Devou Park, offering 700 acres of green space, trails, and panoramic skyline views.
Direct pedestrian and transit access to downtown Cincinnati via the historic Roebling Suspension Bridge.
Thriving local culinary scene featuring independent restaurants, craft breweries, and boutique retailers.
Drawbacks
Property maintenance costs can be high due to the aging stock of historic Victorian and antebellum homes.
Property tax rates in Kenton County can be higher relative to some surrounding suburban jurisdictions.
Crime rates vary significantly by neighborhood, with certain areas requiring increased vigilance.
Winter weather brings freezing temperatures and occasional heavy snowfall requiring active municipal snow removal.
Public transit options, while adequate, are primarily bus-based and less extensive than major metropolitan rail networks.
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.
Covington
#372Kentucky, USA
59.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$61,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
64.0/100
Sunny Days
236/yr
Avg Temp
55.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.20%
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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