City Comparison
Shawnee vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Shawnee scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Shawnee
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Shawnee is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Shawnee | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,450 | 0% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $400 | -56% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $150 | +60% |
| Monthly Total | $2,400 | $2,570 | -7% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Shawnee offers 21% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Shawnee delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Shawnee is estimated at
$58,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Shawnee | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 79,592 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $95,400 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Shawnee runs warmer on average — a 56.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Shawnee comes out ahead with 266 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Shawnee sees 17.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Shawnee | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 86.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 22.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 42.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 17.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 266 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Shawnee.
Shawnee scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Shawnee leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Shawnee | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Shawnee is the larger city
— approximately 1.7x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Shawnee is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Shawnee has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Shawnee | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,311 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Shawnee
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the safest cities in Kansas with crime rates well below the national average
Access to top-rated public school districts within Johnson County
Expansive green spaces anchored by Shawnee Mission Park, offering diverse outdoor recreation
Strong local economy and strategic location within the Kansas City metropolitan area
Active historic downtown area featuring local dining, shopping, and community events
Drawbacks
High demand has driven up housing and property values, impacting affordability
High level of car dependency with limited public mass transit options
Rising property tax rates across Johnson County affecting homeowners
Cold winter conditions with potential for snow and ice accumulations
Limited nightlife and entertainment options compared to central Kansas City
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.
Shawnee
#32Kansas, USA
71.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
266/yr
Avg Temp
56.90°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
82
Business
74
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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