City Comparison
South Bend vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
South Bend scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
South Bend
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
South Bend is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
22% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: South Bend's average rent is
24% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | South Bend | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $1,450 | -24% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $400 | -56% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $1,995 | $2,570 | -22% |
| Cost Index | 87 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 13% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, South Bend delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in South Bend is estimated at
$48,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | South Bend | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $56,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,368 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $54,200 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
South Bend runs warmer on average — a 51.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, South Bend comes out ahead with 240 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — South Bend sees 42.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | South Bend | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 19.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 36.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 42.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 240 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
South Bend scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, South Bend leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | South Bend | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 32.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
South Bend is the larger city
— approximately 2.6x 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, South Bend has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | South Bend | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,450 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
South Bend
Advantages
Median home prices in South Bend remain significantly below the national average per recent US Census and Zillow data.
The presence of the University of Notre Dame brings world-class cultural, athletic, and educational events to the local community.
Revitalized downtown public spaces and riverfront paths offer excellent recreational opportunities for residents.
A strategic location provides convenient access to Chicago via highway, rail, and the South Bend International Airport.
Low traffic congestion and manageable commutes compared to larger metropolitan areas.
Drawbacks
Below-average median household incomes compared to national benchmarks.
Property tax rates and localized winter heating utility costs can add financial pressure during colder months.
Public transit walkability is limited outside of the immediate downtown and university cores.
Certain neighborhoods experience above-average property and property-related crime rates.
Heavy winter snowfall and prolonged cloud cover during late fall and winter months.
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.
South Bend
#405Indiana, USA
58.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$56,000
Cost Index
87
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
32.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
240/yr
Avg Temp
51.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
73
Business
69
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between South Bend and Grants Pass.
Open Cost Calculator