City Comparison
Elkhart vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Grants Pass scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Elkhart
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Elkhart is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Elkhart's average rent is
25% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Elkhart | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,090 | $1,450 | -25% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $369 | $400 | -8% |
| Transport | $385 | $120 | +221% |
| Healthcare | $139 | $150 | -7% |
| Monthly Total | $2,383 | $2,570 | -7% |
| Cost Index | 91 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 34% 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 Elkhart is estimated at
$66,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Elkhart | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $42,361 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $66,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 46,551 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $51,028 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Elkhart runs warmer on average — a 51.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Elkhart comes out ahead with 239 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Elkhart sees 39.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Elkhart | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 19.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 36.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 39.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 239 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 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 | Elkhart | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 1.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 38.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Elkhart is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x 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, Elkhart has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Elkhart | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 54,082 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Elkhart
Advantages
The cost of living in Elkhart is significantly lower than the national average, particularly for housing and groceries.
Elkhart is the "RV Capital of the World," providing a strong and stable manufacturing job market.
Average commute times are shorter than the Indiana state average, enhancing daily convenience for residents.
The city's crime trajectory shows an improving trend, with violent crime decreasing by 15.5% year-over-year.
Access to affordable healthcare services is available through community health centers offering sliding fee scales.
Drawbacks
Elkhart has a high crime rate, with violent crimes significantly above the national average, earning it a safety grade of 'F'.
The city is largely car-dependent, with low walkability and minimal public transit options.
Elkhart's population is currently experiencing a slight annual decline.
The economy is heavily reliant on the cyclical RV manufacturing industry, which can lead to economic fluctuations.
Despite recent improvements, the overall crime rate remains a significant concern compared to other communities.
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.
Elkhart
#586Indiana, USA
45.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,090
Avg Salary
$42,361
Cost Index
91
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
1.0/100
Walkability
38.0/100
Sunny Days
239/yr
Avg Temp
51.10°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
68
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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