City Comparison
Lahaina vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lahaina scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lahaina
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grants Pass is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
33% lower than in Lahaina.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lahaina's average rent is
79% higher than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Lahaina | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,600 | $1,450 | +79% |
| Groceries | $550 | $450 | +22% |
| Utilities | $220 | $400 | -45% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $300 | $150 | +100% |
| Monthly Total | $3,820 | $2,570 | +49% |
| Cost Index | 155 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 4% lower 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 Lahaina is estimated at
$70,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Lahaina | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $70,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 40,000 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $84,000 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Lahaina runs warmer on average — a 77.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Lahaina comes out ahead with 173 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lahaina sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lahaina | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 77.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 69.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 38.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 173 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Lahaina.
Lahaina scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Lahaina leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Lahaina | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Lahaina.
From a growth perspective, Grants Pass is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Lahaina has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Lahaina | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,500 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 42.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Lahaina
Advantages
Stunning coastal setting with direct access to world-class beaches, snorkeling, and marine life
Rich historical and cultural significance as the former capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom
Warm, tropical climate year-round with steady trade winds and high sunshine totals
Strong, close-knit community fabric characterized by remarkable resilience and mutual support
Vibrant local dining, art, and music scene celebrating authentic Hawaiian traditions
Drawbacks
Severe housing shortages and elevated rental costs resulting from the 2023 wildfire recovery
Significantly higher overall cost of living compared to the U.S. mainland due to island logistics
Heavy reliance on a single highway artery (Honoapiilani Highway) leading to frequent traffic bottlenecks
Limited local hospital infrastructure, requiring travel to central Maui for major medical needs
Vulnerability to natural hazards and extreme weather events inherent to island geography
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.
Lahaina
#566Hawaii, USA
47.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,600
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
155
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
173/yr
Avg Temp
77.20°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
73
Business
62
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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