City Comparison
Exeter vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Exeter scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Exeter
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grants Pass is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
15% lower than in Exeter.
Housing costs are a major driver: Exeter's average rent is
34% higher than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Exeter | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,450 | +34% |
| Groceries | $480 | $450 | +7% |
| Utilities | $210 | $400 | -48% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $150 | +60% |
| Monthly Total | $3,010 | $2,570 | +17% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Exeter offers 21% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Exeter delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Exeter is estimated at
$68,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Exeter | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $68,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,102 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $95,400 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Exeter runs warmer on average — a 49.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Exeter comes out ahead with 254 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Exeter sees 37.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Exeter | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 49.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 16.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 40.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 37.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 254 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Exeter.
Exeter scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Exeter leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Exeter | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Exeter.
From a growth perspective, Grants Pass is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Exeter has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Exeter | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 16,285 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 44.2 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.10% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Exeter
Advantages
Exceptional local school district anchored by renowned public schools and private institutions like Phillips Exeter Academy.
Extremely low crime rates and high overall community safety profile compared to national averages.
Direct Amtrak Downeaster rail service connecting the town directly to Boston and Portland.
Picturesque, historic downtown featuring vibrant local dining, shopping, and Squamscott River waterfront access.
Proximity to the New Hampshire seacoast and White Mountains, offering world-class outdoor recreation.
Drawbacks
Significantly higher-than-average housing costs and competitive real estate market conditions.
Heavy reliance on personal vehicles for daily commuting and errands outside the walkable core.
High local property tax burdens typical of many New Hampshire municipalities.
Limited rental housing inventory, making it challenging for younger or lower-income residents to find apartments.
Cold, snowy winter weather requiring high household heating expenditures.
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.
Exeter
#267New Hampshire, USA
62.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
254/yr
Avg Temp
49.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.10%
Livability
84
Business
74
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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