City Comparison
Leesburg vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Leesburg scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Leesburg
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 Leesburg.
Housing costs are a major driver: Leesburg's average rent is
93% higher than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Leesburg | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,800 | $1,450 | +93% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $400 | -55% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $3,830 | $2,570 | +49% |
| Cost Index | 128 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Leesburg offers 43% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Leesburg delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Leesburg is estimated at
$75,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Leesburg | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $92,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $75,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 71,875 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $145,205 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Leesburg runs warmer on average — a 56.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Leesburg comes out ahead with 238 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Leesburg sees 15 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Leesburg | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 25.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 43.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 15.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 238 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Leesburg.
Leesburg scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Leesburg leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Leesburg | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Leesburg is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Leesburg is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Leesburg has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Leesburg | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 49,171 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.30% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Leesburg
Advantages
Median household income is exceptionally high at $145,205 per U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts.
Crime rates are well below national averages, providing an exceptionally safe community environment.
Over 57% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, fostering a highly educated and skilled local populace.
Vibrant, historic downtown core featuring award-winning dining, craft breweries, and boutique shopping.
Abundant recreational access, including direct connection to the 45-mile W&OD Trail and nearby Loudoun wine country.
Drawbacks
Cost of living and housing expenses are substantially higher than the U.S. national average.
Average rent prices exceed $2,750 per month, placing a heavy burden on renters.
Median home purchase values hover around $667,800, making first-time home buying challenging.
Heavy reliance on automobiles for daily commuting and errands can lead to localized peak-hour congestion on major arteries like Route 7.
High property values drive up overall property tax and housing costs across the municipality.
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.
Leesburg
#244Virginia, USA
62.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,800
Avg Salary
$92,000
Cost Index
128
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
238/yr
Avg Temp
56.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
3.30%
Livability
84
Business
78
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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