City Comparison
Reno vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Reno scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Reno
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grants Pass is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Reno.
Housing costs are a major driver: Reno's average rent is
14% higher than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Reno | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,450 | +14% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $400 | -56% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $150 | +60% |
| Monthly Total | $2,600 | $2,570 | +1% |
| Cost Index | 104 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Reno offers 4% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Reno delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Reno is estimated at
$58,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Reno | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $67,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,423 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $76,500 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Reno runs warmer on average — a 54.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Reno comes out ahead with 308 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Reno sees 21.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Reno | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 88.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 28.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 18.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 21.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 308 | |
| Humidity | 38.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Reno.
Reno scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Reno leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Reno | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Reno is the larger city
— approximately 6.8x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Reno is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Reno has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Reno | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 270,631 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.40% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Reno
Advantages
No state income tax in Nevada provides significant financial relief for residents and businesses.
Proximity to Lake Tahoe and world-class Sierra Nevada ski resorts offers exceptional year-round outdoor recreation.
A rapidly diversifying economy anchored by major technology, manufacturing, and logistics employers.
Thriving arts and cultural scene highlighted by month-long festivals like Artown and the Midtown district.
More affordable cost of living and housing compared to nearby coastal California metropolitan areas.
Drawbacks
Rapid population growth has driven up housing costs and rental rates significantly over the past several years.
Air quality can be seasonally impacted by regional wildfire smoke during dry summer and autumn months.
Car dependency is high outside of the immediate downtown and Midtown commercial cores.
Winter weather brings occasional heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures requiring mountain driving preparedness.
Job market competition has increased in certain sectors due to the influx of new residents from out of state.
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.
Reno
#321Nevada, USA
60.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$67,000
Cost Index
104
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
308/yr
Avg Temp
54.20°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
75
Business
76
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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