City Comparison
Gary vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Grants Pass scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Gary
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Gary is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
29% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Gary's average rent is
34% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Gary | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,450 | -34% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $400 | -56% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Monthly Total | $1,835 | $2,570 | -29% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 30% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Grants Pass delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Gary is estimated at
$42,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Gary | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 54,878 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $37,500 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Gary runs warmer on average — a 51.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Gary comes out ahead with 265 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Gary sees 30.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Gary | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 19.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 32.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 30.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 265 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Gary.
Gary scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Gary leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Gary | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Gary is the larger city
— approximately 1.7x 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, Grants Pass has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Gary | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 69,093 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 6.20% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Gary
Advantages
Median home prices in Gary are significantly lower than the national average, per recent Zillow and Redfin housing market data.
Strategic geographic location offers direct proximity to Chicago via major rail and interstate transportation corridors.
Abundant natural recreational assets, including direct access to Lake Michigan beaches and proximity to the Indiana Dunes National Park.
Exceptional industrial and logistics infrastructure, anchored by the Gary/Chicago International Airport and major freight rail lines.
Rich cultural history and community legacy as a prominent center for music, arts, and civil rights history in the Midwest.
Drawbacks
Violent and property crime rates remain higher than the national median, according to FBI crime reporting data.
High concentration of vacant properties and urban blight presents ongoing challenges for municipal redevelopment.
Median household income trails behind state and national averages, reflecting post-industrial economic transitions.
Aging municipal infrastructure requires continuous capital investment for modernization and maintenance.
Limited local retail and dining options within city limits compared to adjacent suburban and metropolitan municipalities.
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.
Gary
#593Indiana, USA
42.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$45,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
265/yr
Avg Temp
51.70°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
6.20%
Livability
53
Business
48
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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