City Comparison
Middlebury vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Middlebury scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Middlebury
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grants Pass is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in Middlebury.
Housing costs are a major driver: Middlebury's average rent is
14% higher than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Middlebury | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,450 | +14% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $210 | $400 | -48% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $2,620 | $2,570 | +2% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Middlebury offers 6% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Middlebury delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Middlebury is estimated at
$58,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Middlebury | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,963 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $82,450 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Middlebury runs warmer on average — a 46.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Middlebury comes out ahead with 222 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Middlebury sees 45.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Middlebury | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 46.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 78.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 13.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 40.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 45.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 222 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Middlebury scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Middlebury leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Middlebury | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 22.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Middlebury.
From a growth perspective, Grants Pass is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Middlebury has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Middlebury | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,112 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 2.40% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Middlebury
Advantages
Violent and property crime rates remain significantly lower than the national average per Vermont state data.
Direct Amtrak rail service via the Ethan Allen Express connects Middlebury straight to New York City.
Access to top-tier cultural events, lectures, and athletic facilities through Middlebury College.
Exceptional local school district and proximity to premier outdoor recreation including hiking, skiing, and cycling.
Strong local economy anchored by stable institutional employers like Middlebury College and Porter Medical Center.
Drawbacks
Housing inventory is severely constrained, leading to high purchase prices and competitive rental markets.
Long, harsh New England winters drive up seasonal home heating and utility costs.
Property taxes in Vermont are among the highest in the nation, impacting homeowners.
Limited public transit options require heavy reliance on personal vehicles for regional travel.
Higher-than-average cost of living for groceries and goods compared to the broader national baseline.
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.
Middlebury
#130Vermont, USA
65.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
222/yr
Avg Temp
46.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
2.40%
Livability
84
Business
68
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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