City Comparison
Fernley vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fernley scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fernley
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grants Pass is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in Fernley.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fernley's average rent is
14% higher than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Fernley | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,450 | +14% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $400 | -56% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $150 | +60% |
| Monthly Total | $2,615 | $2,570 | +2% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 1% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Fernley delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fernley is estimated at
$54,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Fernley | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $54,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,306 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $69,500 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Fernley runs warmer on average — a 56.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Fernley comes out ahead with 325 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Fernley sees 11.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fernley | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 90.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 30.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 7.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 11.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 325 | |
| Humidity | 35.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Fernley.
Fernley scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Fernley | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 40.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Fernley.
From a growth perspective, Fernley is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Fernley has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fernley | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,377 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fernley
Advantages
No state income tax in Nevada provides direct financial benefits for residents and workers.
Proximity to the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center offers robust local job opportunities in manufacturing and logistics.
Median home prices remain more affordable than in nearby Reno and Sparks per regional MLS data.
Abundant access to outdoor recreation, including Pyramid Lake and high desert trails.
Small-town community atmosphere paired with convenient interstate access.
Drawbacks
High car dependency due to limited public transportation options within city limits.
Limited local dining, entertainment, and cultural amenities require trips to Reno for variety.
High summer temperatures can exceed 90°F regularly, increasing seasonal cooling costs.
Limited local specialty healthcare services require travel to major regional hospitals.
Rapid industrial growth has led to increased truck traffic along key local corridors.
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.
Fernley
#190Nevada, USA
64.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
40.0/100
Sunny Days
325/yr
Avg Temp
56.70°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
72
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Fernley and Grants Pass.
Open Cost Calculator