City Comparison
Idaho Falls vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Idaho Falls scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Idaho Falls
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Idaho Falls is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
13% lower than in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Idaho Falls | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,450 | -7% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $165 | $400 | -59% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Monthly Total | $2,225 | $2,570 | -13% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Idaho Falls offers 12% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Idaho Falls delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Idaho Falls is estimated at
$52,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Idaho Falls | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 77,419 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $74,500 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Idaho Falls runs warmer on average — a 49.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Idaho Falls comes out ahead with 289 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Idaho Falls sees 30.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Idaho Falls | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 49.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 86.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 18.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 12.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 30.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 289 | |
| Humidity | 55.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Idaho Falls scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Idaho Falls leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Idaho Falls | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Idaho Falls is the larger city
— approximately 1.7x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Idaho Falls is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Idaho Falls has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Idaho Falls | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 66,838 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Idaho Falls
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain below the national average per recent US Census and Zillow data.
Exceptional career opportunities in nuclear research, engineering, and clean energy via the Idaho National Laboratory.
Unmatched access to outdoor recreation, including the Snake River Greenbelt and proximity to Yellowstone National Park.
Consistently low crime rates and high community safety ratings compared to major US metropolitan areas.
Abundant and low-cost utility rates driven by regional hydroelectric and renewable energy infrastructure.
Drawbacks
Winters are long, cold, and snowy, requiring adaptation to severe driving conditions and sub-freezing temperatures.
Limited commercial flight options out of Idaho Falls Regional Airport frequently require layovers or driving to Salt Lake City.
Public transportation options are sparse, making a personal vehicle an absolute necessity for daily life.
Rapid regional growth has placed upward pressure on housing inventory and rental availability.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options compared to larger metropolitan hubs.
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.
Idaho Falls
#42Idaho, USA
71.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
93
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
289/yr
Avg Temp
49.20°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
77
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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