City Comparison
Mishawaka vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Mishawaka scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Mishawaka
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mishawaka is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
24% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Mishawaka's average rent is
28% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Mishawaka | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,050 | $1,450 | -28% |
| Groceries | $390 | $450 | -13% |
| Utilities | $175 | $400 | -56% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $1,960 | $2,570 | -24% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 13% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Mishawaka delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Mishawaka is estimated at
$48,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Mishawaka | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $56,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,870 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $54,291 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Mishawaka runs warmer on average — a 50.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Mishawaka comes out ahead with 240 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Mishawaka sees 40.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Mishawaka | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 18.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 37.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 40.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 240 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Mishawaka.
Mishawaka scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Mishawaka leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Mishawaka | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 53.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 41.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Mishawaka is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x 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, Mishawaka has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Mishawaka | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 51,021 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.27% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 36.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Mishawaka
Advantages
Median home prices and overall living costs remain significantly more affordable than the national average.
Extensive outdoor recreation is available via the scenic Riverwalk trail system along the St. Joseph River.
Proximity to the University of Notre Dame provides easy access to major collegiate sports, arts, and cultural events.
Strategic Midwestern location offers rapid highway access to Chicago, Indianapolis, and the Michigan border.
Comprehensive local healthcare infrastructure is anchored by the modern Franciscan Health Mishawaka facility.
Drawbacks
Winters feature heavy lake-effect snowfall, requiring active municipal snow removal and winter driving preparedness.
Public transit options are limited outside of main bus routes, resulting in high car dependency for daily commutes.
Local median household income trails state and national benchmarks, constraining broader wage growth.
Poverty rates in select older urban residential pockets slightly exceed national averages.
Retail-heavy corridors like Grape Road experience notable traffic congestion during peak holiday and weekend shopping hours.
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.
Mishawaka
#305Indiana, USA
61.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,050
Avg Salary
$56,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
53.0/100
Sunny Days
240/yr
Avg Temp
50.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.27%
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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