City Comparison
Greer vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Greer scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Greer
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 Greer.
Housing costs are a major driver: Greer's average rent is
24% higher than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Greer | 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 | 91 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 8% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Greer delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Greer is estimated at
$52,632 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Greer | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $59,259 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $52,632 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,120 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $82,626 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Greer runs warmer on average — a 61.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Greer comes out ahead with 246 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Greer sees 2.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Greer | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 61.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 33.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 39.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 2.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 246 | |
| Humidity | 69.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Greer.
Grants Pass 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 | Greer | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | — | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 25.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Greer is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Greer is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Greer has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Greer | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 52,676 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 5.34% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 36.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.60% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Greer
Advantages
Greer's population is experiencing rapid growth, increasing by 5.34% annually as of 2026.
The overall cost of living in Greer is 9-11% lower than the national average.
Greer boasts a high livability score of 81/100, ranking it among the best places in South Carolina.
The city has a strong job market anchored by major employers like BMW Manufacturing and the Inland Port.
Greer offers a vibrant downtown district with diverse dining, shopping, and numerous community events.
Drawbacks
Greer is a car-dependent city with a low Walk Score of 25, meaning most errands require a car.
Property crime incidents occur at a higher rate than violent crimes, particularly in commercial areas.
Healthcare costs in Greer are approximately 4% higher than the national average.
The violent crime rate increased by 35.6% from the previous year in 2024.
Despite overall affordability, housing costs are soaring due to high demand, making it one of the pricier suburbs in the Upstate.
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.
Greer
#29South Carolina, USA
72.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$59,259
Cost Index
91
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
25.0/100
Sunny Days
246/yr
Avg Temp
61.60°F
Pop. Growth
5.34%
Unemployment
3.60%
Livability
81
Business
78
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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