City Comparison
Paducah vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Paducah scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Paducah
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Paducah is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
29% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Paducah's average rent is
34% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Paducah | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,450 | -34% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $165 | $400 | -59% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Monthly Total | $1,825 | $2,570 | -29% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 16% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Paducah delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Paducah is estimated at
$45,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Paducah | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,529 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $48,500 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Paducah runs warmer on average — a 60°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Paducah comes out ahead with 249 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Paducah sees 12.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Paducah | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 60.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 86.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 29.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 48.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 12.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Paducah scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Paducah leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Paducah | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Paducah.
From a growth perspective, Grants Pass is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Paducah has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Paducah | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,000 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.30% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 42.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Paducah
Advantages
Median home prices remain significantly below the national average, making homeownership highly accessible per Zillow data.
Designated as a UNESCO Creative City with a vibrant arts community and the world-renowned National Quilt Museum.
Serves as a robust regional healthcare hub with major medical facilities like Baptist Health Paducah.
Rich historical architecture and beautifully revitalized downtown riverfront offering unique dining and shopping.
Low traffic congestion and manageable commute times compared to major metropolitan areas.
Drawbacks
Public transit options are limited, resulting in high car dependency for daily commuting outside the downtown core.
Limited high-paying corporate headquarters employment compared to larger Kentucky metropolitan areas.
Humid subtropical summers bring high humidity levels that can be uncomfortable for outdoor activities.
Public school performance varies by district, requiring careful research for families with school-age children.
Limited direct commercial air travel options requiring travel to regional or major airports for extensive flights.
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.
Paducah
#370Kentucky, USA
59.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
85
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
60.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.30%
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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