City Comparison
Fort Wayne vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fort Wayne scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fort Wayne
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fort Wayne is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
21% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fort Wayne's average rent is
21% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Fort Wayne | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,450 | -21% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $400 | -56% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $150 | +40% |
| Monthly Total | $2,025 | $2,570 | -21% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 10% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Fort Wayne delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fort Wayne is estimated at
$48,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Fort Wayne | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,444 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $64,500 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Fort Wayne runs warmer on average — a 51.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Fort Wayne comes out ahead with 249 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Fort Wayne sees 24.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fort Wayne | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 18.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 31.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 24.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Fort Wayne.
Fort Wayne scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Grants Pass leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fort Wayne | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 32.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 38.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fort Wayne is the larger city
— approximately 7.8x 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, Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fort Wayne | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 312,688 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fort Wayne
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain well below the national average per US Census and Zillow data.
A nationally recognized riverfront development and extensive park system offer exceptional outdoor recreation.
A robust regional healthcare sector provides world-class medical facilities and abundant employment opportunities.
Short average commute times reduce daily transit friction compared to larger metropolitan areas.
A thriving local arts, culture, and minor league sports scene provides diverse entertainment options.
Drawbacks
High car dependency makes efficient navigation difficult for non-drivers outside the core downtown area.
Certain urban neighborhoods face persistent property and violent crime challenges.
Public transit options are limited in frequency and geographic coverage compared to peer transit-heavy cities.
Winters can be cold and grey, with significant snowfall limiting outdoor activities for parts of the year.
Averaged local wages trail national coastal medians, though balanced by lower living costs.
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.
Fort Wayne
#194Indiana, USA
63.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
90
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
32.0/100
Walkability
38.0/100
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
51.60°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
78
Business
72
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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