City Comparison
Cromwell vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Cromwell scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Cromwell
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grants Pass is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in Cromwell.
Housing costs are a major driver: Cromwell's average rent is
14% higher than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Cromwell | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,450 | +14% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $170 | $400 | -58% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Monthly Total | $2,610 | $2,570 | +2% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 10% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Cromwell delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Cromwell is estimated at
$52,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Cromwell | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,184 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $65,000 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Cromwell runs warmer on average — a 52.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Cromwell comes out ahead with 226 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Cromwell sees 15.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Cromwell | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 48.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 52.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 46.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 15.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 226 | |
| Humidity | 62.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Cromwell scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Cromwell leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Cromwell | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 16 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 72.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Cromwell.
From a growth perspective, Cromwell is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Cromwell has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Cromwell | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,200 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.40% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 41.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Cromwell
Advantages
Enjoy an exceptional climate with high annual sunshine hours and mild, dry summers ideal for outdoor living.
Strategic central location providing easy access to Queenstown, Wanaka, and major South Island destinations.
Booming local economy driven by world-renowned viticulture, horticulture, and tourism sectors.
Abundant recreational opportunities, including the Lake Dunstan Cycle Trail, boating, and proximity to ski fields.
Strong community safety profile with a family-friendly atmosphere and low crime rates.
Drawbacks
Housing and rental markets have become increasingly competitive and expensive due to high regional demand.
High car dependency for regional commuting and accessing specialized services outside the town.
Seasonal fluctuations in population and employment driven by harvest and tourism cycles.
Cold winter temperatures requiring efficient home heating solutions and winter driving preparedness.
Limited public transportation options for traveling outside the immediate Central Otago region.
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.
Cromwell
#4Otago, New Zealand
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
72.0/100
Sunny Days
226/yr
Avg Temp
52.70°F
Pop. Growth
2.40%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
84
Business
75
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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