City Comparison
Milwaukee vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Milwaukee scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Milwaukee
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Milwaukee is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Milwaukee | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,450 | 0% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $400 | -55% |
| Transport | $90 | $120 | -25% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $150 | +33% |
| Monthly Total | $2,320 | $2,570 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 94 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Milwaukee offers 1% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Milwaukee delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Milwaukee is estimated at
$52,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Milwaukee | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,149 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $62,000 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Milwaukee runs warmer on average — a 48.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Milwaukee comes out ahead with 262 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Milwaukee sees 29.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Milwaukee | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 48.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 15.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 29.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 29.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 262 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Milwaukee.
Milwaukee scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Milwaukee leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Milwaukee | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 61.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Milwaukee is the larger city
— approximately 14.4x 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, Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Milwaukee | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,000 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Milwaukee
Advantages
Median home prices remain significantly lower than the national average per Zillow data.
Thriving cultural scene featuring numerous summer festivals and world-class museums.
Robust healthcare infrastructure anchored by major medical centers like Froedtert Hospital.
Shorter average commute times of around 22 minutes compared to most major US metropolitan areas.
Scenic lakefront access with miles of public parks, beaches, and recreational trails.
Drawbacks
Winters feature cold temperatures and notable snowfall averaging around 29.1 inches annually.
Property tax rates in Wisconsin can place a heavier tax burden on homeowners.
Public transit scores trail behind larger transit-heavy metros, making cars helpful for daily transit.
Certain urban neighborhoods experience higher-than-average crime rates requiring vigilant safety awareness.
State income tax brackets can be relatively high for middle- and upper-income earners.
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.
Milwaukee
#376Wisconsin, USA
59.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
94
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
61.0/100
Sunny Days
262/yr
Avg Temp
48.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
75
Business
70
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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