City Comparison
Kailua vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Kailua scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Kailua
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grants Pass is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
49% lower than in Kailua.
Housing costs are a major driver: Kailua's average rent is
161% higher than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Kailua | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $3,790 | $1,450 | +161% |
| Groceries | $600 | $450 | +33% |
| Utilities | $220 | $400 | -45% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $300 | $150 | +100% |
| Monthly Total | $5,060 | $2,570 | +97% |
| Cost Index | 175 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Kailua offers 21% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Grants Pass delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Kailua is estimated at
$95,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Kailua | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $95,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 44,571 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $148,582 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Kailua runs warmer on average — a 76.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Kailua comes out ahead with 94 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Kailua sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Kailua | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 76.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 68.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 48.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 94 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to Kailua.
Kailua scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Kailua leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Kailua | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 62.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Grants Pass is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Kailua has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Kailua | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 39,640 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.22% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 2.70% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Kailua
Advantages
Median household income stands at a robust $148,582 per year, reflecting a prosperous local economy.
Proximity to world-renowned white-sand beaches like Kailua Beach and Lanikai Beach for daily outdoor recreation.
Maintains a low property crime rate and exceptional community safety compared to larger urban centers.
Vibrant local small-business culture featuring organic farmers' markets, boutique shops, and local dining.
Strong sense of community engagement centered around environmental stewardship and coastal preservation.
Drawbacks
Median home values exceed $1.3M, making homeownership severely cost-prohibitive.
Average monthly rent prices remain extraordinarily high, averaging around $5,695 for available market listings.
High cost of living driven by steep transportation and shipping expenses for everyday consumer goods.
Daily commuter bottlenecks along key mountain pass routes heading into Urban Honolulu.
Limited geographic expansion space restricts new housing development and inventory growth.
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.
Kailua
#470Hawaii, USA
54.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$3,790
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
175
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
94/yr
Avg Temp
76.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.22%
Unemployment
2.70%
Livability
88
Business
68
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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