City Comparison
Owensboro vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Owensboro scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Owensboro
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Owensboro is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
30% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Owensboro's average rent is
34% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Owensboro | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,450 | -34% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $160 | $400 | -60% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $150 | +40% |
| Monthly Total | $1,810 | $2,570 | -30% |
| Cost Index | 87 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 19% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Owensboro delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Owensboro is estimated at
$45,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Owensboro | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,770 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Owensboro runs warmer on average — a 58.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Owensboro comes out ahead with 251 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Owensboro sees 17.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Owensboro | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 58.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 27.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 51.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 17.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 251 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Owensboro scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Owensboro leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Owensboro | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Owensboro is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x 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, Owensboro has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Owensboro | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,183 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Owensboro
Advantages
Median home purchase prices and overall cost of living remain significantly below the national average per Census and Zillow data.
Owensboro Health Regional Hospital provides top-tier regional medical services and is one of the area's largest employers.
The vibrant downtown riverfront features Smothers Park and hosts major cultural events like the ROMP bluegrass festival.
Average commute times are shorter than the national average, resulting in minimal traffic congestion.
Strong community identity anchored by unique regional traditions such as Western Kentucky barbecue and bluegrass music.
Drawbacks
Public transit options are limited, resulting in high car dependency for daily commuting and errands.
Average local wages lag behind top-tier national metropolitan GDP per capita benchmarks.
Limited high-paying professional opportunities outside of healthcare, education, and manufacturing sectors.
Hot and humid summer conditions can limit outdoor comfort during peak months.
Public school performance and educational funding face the same systemic challenges present across rural and regional Kentucky.
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.
Owensboro
#246Kentucky, USA
62.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
87
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
251/yr
Avg Temp
58.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
75
Business
67
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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