City Comparison
Lafayette vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lafayette scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lafayette
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Lafayette is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
20% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lafayette's average rent is
21% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Lafayette | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,450 | -21% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $400 | -56% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $2,045 | $2,570 | -20% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 5% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Lafayette delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Lafayette is estimated at
$48,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Lafayette | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,539 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $63,500 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Lafayette runs warmer on average — a 53.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Lafayette comes out ahead with 251 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lafayette sees 22.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lafayette | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 20.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 29.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 22.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 251 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Lafayette scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Lafayette leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Lafayette | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 55.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Lafayette is the larger city
— approximately 1.8x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Lafayette is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Lafayette | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 72,323 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Lafayette
Advantages
Median home prices and rental rates remain significantly below the national US average per Zillow and HUD data.
Robust local manufacturing and engineering job sectors anchored by Subaru of Indiana Automotive and Caterpillar.
Proximity to Purdue University brings cultural events, Big Ten athletics, and continuous economic innovation.
Manageable average commute times under 20 minutes compared to major metropolitan congestion.
Extensive parks and recreation network including Columbian Park and Wabash River trail systems.
Drawbacks
Car dependency is high, with limited rapid transit options outside of local bus routes.
Sub-freezing winter temperatures and seasonal snowfall require ongoing municipal snow removal management.
Wage growth has occasionally lagged behind sudden spikes in housing demand near the university border.
Local entertainment and dining options are more limited compared to nearby Indianapolis or Chicago.
Property tax rates in certain expanding school districts can offset some overall cost of living savings.
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.
Lafayette
#156Indiana, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$61,000
Cost Index
89
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
251/yr
Avg Temp
53.80°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
75
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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