City Comparison
Lewiston vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lewiston scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lewiston
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Lewiston is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
17% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lewiston's average rent is
14% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Lewiston | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,450 | -14% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $180 | $400 | -55% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Monthly Total | $2,140 | $2,570 | -17% |
| Cost Index | 94 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 10% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Lewiston delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Lewiston is estimated at
$50,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Lewiston | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,702 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $53,000 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Lewiston runs warmer on average — a 46.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Lewiston comes out ahead with 260 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lewiston sees 53.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lewiston | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 46.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 78.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 11.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 38.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 53.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 260 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Lewiston.
Lewiston scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Lewiston leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Lewiston | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Grants Pass is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Lewiston has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Lewiston | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 38,484 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Lewiston
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain significantly below the national average and southern New England standards.
Strong healthcare infrastructure anchored by major employers like Central Maine Medical Center and St. Mary's Regional Medical Center.
Rich cultural diversity and a vibrant downtown revitalization effort bringing new restaurants, arts, and local businesses.
Proximity to outdoor recreation, including the Androscoggin River, local parks, and easy access to Maine's lakes and mountains.
Presence of prestigious higher education institutions like Bates College, contributing to community enrichment and local events.
Drawbacks
Long, harsh winter weather with significant snowfall and high seasonal home heating costs.
Property tax rates in Androscoggin County can be relatively high compared to other municipalities.
Certain urban core neighborhoods face socio-economic challenges, elevated poverty rates, and pockets of property crime.
Local wage growth has historically lagged behind coastal economic hubs in Maine and Massachusetts.
Public transit options are somewhat limited, making car ownership practically essential for daily commuting and errands.
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.
Lewiston
#431Maine, USA
56.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
94
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
260/yr
Avg Temp
46.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
72
Business
66
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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