City Comparison
Dunwoody vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Dunwoody scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Dunwoody
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grants Pass is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Dunwoody.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dunwoody's average rent is
21% higher than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Dunwoody | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,450 | +21% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $400 | -56% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $2,705 | $2,570 | +5% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dunwoody offers 21% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Dunwoody delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Dunwoody is estimated at
$62,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Dunwoody | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,102 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $98,500 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Dunwoody runs warmer on average — a 62.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Dunwoody comes out ahead with 226 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Dunwoody sees 3.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Dunwoody | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 62.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 86.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 35.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 43.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 3.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 226 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Dunwoody.
Dunwoody scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Dunwoody leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Dunwoody | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 54.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dunwoody is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x 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, Dunwoody has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Dunwoody | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 51,500 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Dunwoody
Advantages
Consistently low crime rates with a dedicated local police department ensuring high community safety.
Prime location just north of Atlanta with direct access to I-285, GA-400, and multiple MARTA rail stations.
Abundant green spaces and outdoor amenities, including the 100-acre Brook Run Park and Dunwoody Nature Center.
Thriving economic hub at Perimeter Center offering robust local employment and corporate headquarters.
Exceptional local community engagement, highly rated events, and vibrant neighborhood culture.
Drawbacks
Significantly higher cost of living and housing prices compared to the national and state averages.
Heavy traffic congestion during peak commuting hours along major corridors like I-285 and Ashford Dunwoody Road.
High car dependency in residential neighborhoods outside of the immediate Perimeter commercial core.
Competitive real estate market with rising home purchase costs that can price out first-time buyers.
Property tax rates reflective of DeKalb County services and local municipal funding needs.
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.
Dunwoody
#185Georgia, USA
64.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
54.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
226/yr
Avg Temp
62.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
83
Business
78
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 Dunwoody and Grants Pass.
Open Cost Calculator