City Comparison
Richmond vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Richmond scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Richmond
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Richmond is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
29% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Richmond's average rent is
34% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Richmond | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,450 | -34% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $170 | $400 | -58% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Monthly Total | $1,830 | $2,570 | -29% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 21% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Richmond delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Richmond is estimated at
$45,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Richmond | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $51,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,955 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $53,500 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Richmond runs warmer on average — a 56.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Richmond comes out ahead with 234 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Richmond sees 19.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Richmond | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 26.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 56.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 19.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 234 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Richmond.
Richmond scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Richmond leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Richmond | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Richmond.
From a growth perspective, Richmond is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Richmond has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Richmond | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 36,452 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.40% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Richmond
Advantages
Median home prices in Richmond remain significantly below the national average per Zillow data.
Eastern Kentucky University provides a rich cultural, educational, and economic anchor for the city.
Proximity to outdoor recreation, including Lake Reba and Daniel Boone National Forest.
Lower-than-average cost of living spanning housing, utilities, and everyday goods.
Convenient access via Interstate 75 to larger metropolitan hubs like Lexington.
Drawbacks
Public transportation options are limited, resulting in high car dependency for daily commutes.
Average local salaries lag behind the national GDP per capita benchmarks.
Job market diversity can be somewhat constrained outside of education, healthcare, and manufacturing.
Humid subtropical summer conditions can bring uncomfortable humidity levels.
Local entertainment options are more limited compared to nearby Lexington.
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.
Richmond
#224Kentucky, USA
63.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$51,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
234/yr
Avg Temp
56.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
4.20%
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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