City Comparison
Johnston vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Johnston scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Johnston
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grants Pass is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
15% lower than in Johnston.
Housing costs are a major driver: Johnston's average rent is
43% higher than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Johnston | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,072 | $1,450 | +43% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $400 | -55% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $3,022 | $2,570 | +18% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Johnston offers 12% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Johnston delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Johnston is estimated at
$60,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Johnston | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,571 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $91,866 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Johnston runs warmer on average — a 51.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Johnston comes out ahead with 253 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Johnston sees 19.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Johnston | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 22.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 46.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 19.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 253 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Johnston.
Johnston scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Johnston leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Johnston | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Johnston.
From a growth perspective, Grants Pass is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Johnston has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Johnston | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 30,626 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.43% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 44.5 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Johnston
Advantages
Median household income stands at a robust $91,866 per census data, outperforming national averages.
Convenient location in Providence County providing quick access to downtown Providence and major highways.
Quiet, family-friendly residential neighborhoods such as Winsor Hill and Graniteville.
Active local municipal governance with dedicated community parks and recreational programming.
Close proximity to top-tier healthcare systems and medical centers in Rhode Island.
Drawbacks
Average rent prices exceed $2,000 per month, reflecting broader regional housing pressures.
High car dependency with limited public transit infrastructure within town boundaries.
Property tax rates and real estate costs have risen steadily in line with statewide trends.
Varying winter weather conditions require reliable snow removal and vehicle preparation.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options directly within town borders, requiring trips to Providence.
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.
Johnston
#253Rhode Island, USA
62.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,072
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
105
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
253/yr
Avg Temp
51.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.43%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
76
Business
70
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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