City Comparison
Skokie vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Skokie scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Skokie
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grants Pass is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
4% lower than in Skokie.
Housing costs are a major driver: Skokie's average rent is
21% higher than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Skokie | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,450 | +21% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $400 | -56% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $2,685 | $2,570 | +4% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Skokie offers 21% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Skokie delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Skokie is estimated at
$62,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Skokie | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,102 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $85,400 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Skokie runs warmer on average — a 51.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Skokie comes out ahead with 249 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Skokie sees 28 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Skokie | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 18.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 33.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 28.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Skokie.
Skokie scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Skokie leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Skokie | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Skokie is the larger city
— approximately 1.7x 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, Skokie has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Skokie | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,824 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Skokie
Advantages
Direct access to Chicago via the CTA Yellow Line rapid transit system
Home to the Illinois Science + Technology Park, driving local biotech jobs
Award-winning Skokie Park District managing numerous parks and facilities
Exceptional ethnic diversity reflected in local dining, culture, and community events
Proximity to major medical centers including Endeavor Health Skokie Hospital
Drawbacks
Higher-than-average property taxes typical of suburban Cook County
Competitive real estate market with rising purchase prices
Heavy commuter traffic along major arterial roads during peak hours
Cold and snowy winter climate requiring regular snow removal
Cost of living index noticeably above the national average
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.
Skokie
#386Illinois, USA
59.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
51.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
82
Business
75
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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