City Comparison
Evanston vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Evanston scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Evanston
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grants Pass is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
28% lower than in Evanston.
Housing costs are a major driver: Evanston's average rent is
79% higher than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Evanston | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,591 | $1,450 | +79% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $400 | -55% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $3,591 | $2,570 | +40% |
| Cost Index | 122 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Evanston offers 21% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Evanston delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Evanston is estimated at
$65,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Evanston | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,934 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $96,434 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Evanston runs warmer on average — a 50.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Evanston comes out ahead with 254 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Evanston sees 28 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Evanston | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 18.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 31.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 28.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 254 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Evanston.
Evanston scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Evanston leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Evanston | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 78.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 82.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Low | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Evanston is the larger city
— approximately 1.9x 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, Evanston has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Evanston | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,340 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Evanston
Advantages
Median household income stands at a robust $96,434, significantly higher than the Illinois state average.
Over 72% of Evanston residents hold at least a bachelor's degree, fostering an intellectually vibrant community.
Direct multi-modal transit access via the CTA Purple Line and Metra provides fast commutes into downtown Chicago.
Features five public sandy beaches and 268 acres of parkland along the Lake Michigan shoreline.
Recognized as a leading Midwestern startup hub and 'hidden gem' for entrepreneurial ventures.
Drawbacks
The cost of living and median property values are substantially higher than the national average.
Property taxes in Cook County are notoriously high, placing a heavy tax burden on homeowners.
Rental housing is competitive and expensive, heavily driven by the presence of Northwestern University students.
Winter weather brings heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures common to the greater Chicago region.
Street parking can be scarce and strictly regulated, especially in commercial zones and near campus areas.
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.
Evanston
#456Illinois, USA
55.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,591
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
122
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
78.0/100
Walkability
82.0/100
Sunny Days
254/yr
Avg Temp
50.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
84
Business
76
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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