City Comparison
Gorham vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Gorham scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Gorham
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grants Pass is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in Gorham.
Housing costs are a major driver: Gorham's average rent is
24% higher than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Gorham | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $1,450 | +24% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $400 | -55% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $2,750 | $2,570 | +7% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Gorham offers 12% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Gorham delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Gorham is estimated at
$60,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Gorham | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $112,312 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Gorham runs warmer on average — a 47.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Gorham comes out ahead with 254 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Gorham sees 43.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Gorham | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 47.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 13.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 39.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 43.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 254 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,000 minutes (117 hours) per year compared to Gorham.
Gorham scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Gorham leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Gorham | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Gorham.
From a growth perspective, Gorham is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Gorham has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Gorham | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 19,895 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 3.41% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 39.4 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 2.40% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Gorham
Advantages
Median household income in Gorham is robust at $112,312, comfortably outperforming the national average per Census data.
The town boasts a high homeownership rate of roughly 78.8%, reflecting neighborhood stability and community investment.
Gorham maintains low crime rates and a family-friendly profile significantly safer than national norms.
Proximity to the University of Southern Maine infuses the town with cultural events, college athletics, and educational resources.
Abundant outdoor recreational access, including the Presumpscot River and local trail networks.
Drawbacks
Median property values have climbed past $500,000, presenting affordability hurdles for first-time home buyers.
Average rent prices remain elevated, driven by high regional demand across Cumberland County.
Car dependency is high, with limited public mass transit options connecting outlying hamlets.
Average commute times can stretch past 30 minutes during peak hours for workers heading into Portland.
Inventory constraints in the local housing market limit choices for prospective movers.
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.
Gorham
#33Maine, USA
71.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
254/yr
Avg Temp
47.40°F
Pop. Growth
3.41%
Unemployment
2.40%
Livability
80
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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