City Comparison
Elsmere vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Elsmere scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Elsmere
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Elsmere is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Elsmere | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,450 | 0% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $400 | -56% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $2,350 | $2,570 | -9% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Elsmere offers 4% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Elsmere delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Elsmere is estimated at
$52,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Elsmere | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $67,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,367 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $65,500 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Elsmere runs warmer on average — a 55.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Elsmere comes out ahead with 255 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Elsmere sees 13.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Elsmere | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 83.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 25.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 40.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 13.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 255 | |
| Humidity | 64.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Elsmere.
Elsmere scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Elsmere leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Elsmere | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 46.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Elsmere.
From a growth perspective, Grants Pass is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Elsmere has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Elsmere | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,150 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Elsmere
Advantages
Delaware's lack of state sales tax significantly reduces everyday retail and dining expenses per state tax guidelines.
Conveniently located just minutes from downtown Wilmington with easy access to major employers and cultural sites.
A strong community-focused suburban feel with active local parks and neighborhood events.
Proximity to world-class healthcare facilities like ChristianaCare systems in New Castle County.
Median home prices and rental rates remain competitive compared to nearby Philadelphia and northern suburbs.
Drawbacks
Traffic congestion can be heavy along primary commercial corridors like Kirkwood Highway during peak commuting hours.
Housing inventory can be limited, leading to competitive conditions for prospective buyers.
Property taxes in New Castle County can add to the overall cost of homeownership.
Limited public rail transit directly within town borders, making car ownership nearly essential.
Older housing stock may require regular maintenance and energy-efficiency updates.
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.
Elsmere
#379Delaware, USA
59.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$67,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
55.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
73
Business
67
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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