City Comparison
Hillsboro vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Hillsboro scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hillsboro
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grants Pass is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
4% lower than in Hillsboro.
Housing costs are a major driver: Hillsboro's average rent is
21% higher than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Hillsboro | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,450 | +21% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $400 | -56% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $2,685 | $2,570 | +4% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Hillsboro offers 21% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Hillsboro delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Hillsboro is estimated at
$62,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Hillsboro | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,102 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $88,500 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Hillsboro runs warmer on average — a 53.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Hillsboro comes out ahead with 239 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Hillsboro sees 7.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Hillsboro | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 34.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 44.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 7.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 239 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Hillsboro.
Hillsboro scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Hillsboro leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hillsboro | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Hillsboro is the larger city
— approximately 2.7x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Hillsboro is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Hillsboro has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Hillsboro | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 108,375 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.40% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hillsboro
Advantages
Major technology hub anchored by Intel and advanced manufacturing employers offering high-paying career opportunities.
Excellent public transit connectivity via the TriMet MAX Blue Line light rail providing direct access to downtown Portland.
Vibrant, walkable mixed-use neighborhoods such as Orenco Station featuring local dining, retail, and community gathering spaces.
Extensive parks and recreation system with over 20 parks, sports complexes, and natural areas.
Strong local school district and proximity to higher education institutions like Portland Community College.
Drawbacks
Higher cost of living and housing prices compared to the national average due to regional metropolitan demand.
Traffic congestion on primary commuter corridors like U.S. Route 26 during peak morning and evening hours.
Typical Pacific Northwest winter weather featuring extended periods of overcast skies and steady rainfall.
Competitive real estate market with limited inventory for first-time home buyers.
Property crime rates that align with typical suburban-urban transition zones in the Portland metro area.
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.
Hillsboro
#337Oregon, USA
60.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
239/yr
Avg Temp
53.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
77
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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