City Comparison
Lawrence vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lawrence scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lawrence
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Lawrence is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
16% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lawrence's average rent is
14% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Lawrence | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,450 | -14% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $400 | -56% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $2,150 | $2,570 | -16% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 5% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Lawrence delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Lawrence is estimated at
$52,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Lawrence | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,304 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $63,500 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Lawrence runs warmer on average — a 53.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Lawrence comes out ahead with 240 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lawrence sees 18.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lawrence | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 83.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 20.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 42.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 18.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 240 | |
| 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 Lawrence.
Lawrence scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Lawrence leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Lawrence | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Lawrence is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Grants Pass is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Lawrence has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Lawrence | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 48,312 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Lawrence
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain comfortably below the national average per US Census and Zillow data.
Direct access to the 1,700-acre Fort Benjamin Harrison State Park providing extensive outdoor recreation.
Convenient location just northeast of downtown Indianapolis offering easy commuting and metropolitan access.
Diverse and welcoming community with active local civic engagement and family-oriented neighborhoods.
Solid local educational options and proximity to top-tier higher education institutions in Marion County.
Drawbacks
Car dependency is high, with limited public transit infrastructure outside of major commuter routes.
Crime rates in certain pockets of the city require careful neighborhood selection for prospective residents.
Property tax rates in Marion County can occasionally offset some of the savings from lower home purchase prices.
Retail and dining options within city limits are somewhat limited compared to central Indianapolis.
Winter weather brings cold temperatures and snowfall averaging around 18 inches annually.
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.
Lawrence
#352Indiana, USA
59.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$61,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
240/yr
Avg Temp
53.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
73
Business
67
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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