City Comparison
Lawton vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lawton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lawton
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Lawton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
29% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lawton's average rent is
34% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Lawton | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,450 | -34% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $170 | $400 | -58% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Monthly Total | $1,830 | $2,570 | -29% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 20% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Lawton delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Lawton is estimated at
$42,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Lawton | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $51,500 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,805 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $54,200 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Lawton runs warmer on average — a 64.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Lawton comes out ahead with 292 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lawton sees 3.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lawton | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 64.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 90.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 32.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 36.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 3.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 292 | |
| Humidity | 62.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Lawton scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Grants Pass leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Lawton | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 32.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 36.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Lawton is the larger city
— approximately 2.3x 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, Lawton has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Lawton | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 90,305 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 32.5 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Lawton
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living sit significantly below the U.S. national average per Census and Zillow data.
Proximity to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge offers world-class outdoor recreation, hiking, and wildlife viewing minutes from town.
Short average commute times of under 20 minutes reduce daily stress compared to major metropolitan areas.
Strong institutional economic stability anchored by Fort Sill and major regional healthcare providers.
Welcoming community atmosphere with rich Native American heritage and diverse cultural events.
Drawbacks
High car dependency with limited public transit infrastructure across the metropolitan area.
Local job market can be overly reliant on federal and military spending cycles.
Summers experience prolonged stretches of high temperatures exceeding 90°F.
Property crime rates in certain central urban districts require standard preventative awareness.
Limited high-end entertainment and nightlife options compared to larger Oklahoma cities like OKC or Tulsa.
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.
Lawton
#259Oklahoma, USA
62.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$51,500
Cost Index
82
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
32.0/100
Walkability
36.0/100
Sunny Days
292/yr
Avg Temp
64.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
72
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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