City Comparison
Emporia vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Emporia scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Emporia
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Emporia is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
33% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Emporia's average rent is
41% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Emporia | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,450 | -41% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $170 | $400 | -58% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Monthly Total | $1,730 | $2,570 | -33% |
| Cost Index | 86 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 19% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Emporia delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Emporia is estimated at
$42,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Emporia | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,465 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $53,500 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Emporia runs warmer on average — a 57.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Emporia comes out ahead with 273 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Emporia sees 12.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Emporia | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 22.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 40.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 12.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 273 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Emporia has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Grants Pass.
Emporia scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Emporia leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Emporia | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Emporia.
From a growth perspective, Grants Pass is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Emporia has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Emporia | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,139 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.20% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Emporia
Advantages
Median home prices and rental rates are significantly lower than the national average per US Census data.
Average commute times are exceptionally short, averaging under 15 minutes.
Emporia State University provides vibrant cultural events, collegiate sports, and educational opportunities.
Access to premier outdoor recreation, including proximity to the Flint Hills and world-class disc golf courses.
A strong sense of community with active local civic organizations and neighborhood engagement.
Drawbacks
Limited public transportation infrastructure makes owning a personal vehicle essentially mandatory.
Local career advancement opportunities in specialized tech or corporate sectors can be limited compared to major metros.
Continental climate brings hot summers and occasional severe weather typical of the Great Plains.
Retail and dining options are more limited than in nearby urban centers like Topeka or Kansas City.
State-level tax structures can impact certain small businesses and fixed-income residents.
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.
Emporia
#219Kansas, USA
63.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
86
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
273/yr
Avg Temp
57.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.20%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
75
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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