City Comparison
Springfield vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Springfield scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Springfield
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Springfield is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
18% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Springfield's average rent is
17% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Springfield | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,200 | $1,450 | -17% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $400 | -55% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Monthly Total | $2,110 | $2,570 | -18% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Springfield offers 7% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Springfield delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Springfield is estimated at
$52,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Springfield | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $69,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 74,194 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $66,064 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Springfield runs warmer on average — a 55.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Springfield comes out ahead with 265 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Springfield sees 20.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Springfield | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 20.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 30.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 20.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 265 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Springfield scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Springfield leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Springfield | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Springfield is the larger city
— approximately 2.8x 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, Springfield has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Springfield | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,989 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 41.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Springfield
Advantages
Median home values in Springfield are roughly 51% below the national average per U.S. Census Bureau data.
The cost of living sits approximately 7.3% below the national average according to BEA regional price parities.
Springfield offers an average commute time of roughly 20 minutes, significantly shorter than the national average.
The city boasts top-tier regional healthcare facilities, serving as a major medical hub for central Illinois.
Rich historical heritage centered around Abraham Lincoln provides unique cultural tourism and educational assets.
Drawbacks
The city has experienced slight population contractions over recent census estimates due to regional migration patterns.
Certain urban core neighborhoods experience elevated property crime rates relative to suburban boundaries.
Public transit options outside of core bus routes are limited, maintaining a high reliance on personal vehicles.
State-level budget shifts and local tax structures can create periodic fiscal pressures for municipal services.
Winters can bring harsh freezing temperatures and snowfall, requiring active property and roadway maintenance.
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.
Springfield
#390Illinois, USA
58.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,200
Avg Salary
$69,000
Cost Index
93
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
265/yr
Avg Temp
55.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
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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