City Comparison
Fishers vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fishers scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fishers
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grants Pass is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Fishers.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fishers's average rent is
14% higher than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Fishers | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,450 | +14% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $400 | -56% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $2,605 | $2,570 | +1% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fishers offers 21% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Fishers delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fishers is estimated at
$62,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Fishers | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 72,222 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $115,000 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Fishers runs warmer on average — a 53.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Fishers comes out ahead with 237 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Fishers sees 19.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fishers | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 83.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 20.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 38.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 19.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 237 | |
| 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 Fishers.
Fishers scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Fishers leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fishers | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fishers is the larger city
— approximately 2.6x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Fishers is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Fishers has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fishers | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 104,909 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fishers
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the safest cities in Indiana with exceptionally low crime rates per FBI reporting.
Hamilton Southeastern Schools and other local districts are top-rated statewide for academic performance.
Thriving technology and entrepreneurial ecosystem supported by the Indiana IoT Lab and local business incubators.
Extensive parks and recreation infrastructure, including the Nickel Plate Trail and Geist Reservoir access.
Vibrant downtown Nickel Plate District featuring dining, shopping, and regular community events.
Drawbacks
Housing costs and overall cost of living sit noticeably above the Indiana state average.
High degree of car dependency for daily commuting and errands outside of the central district.
Increasing traffic congestion along major thoroughfares during peak morning and evening commute hours.
Property tax rates in Hamilton County reflect high local service funding but add to homeownership costs.
Limited traditional public mass transit options connecting directly to broader regional employment hubs.
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.
Fishers
#40Indiana, USA
71.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
237/yr
Avg Temp
53.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
88
Business
80
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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