City Comparison
State College vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
State College scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
State College
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grants Pass is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in State College.
Housing costs are a major driver: State College's average rent is
28% higher than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | State College | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,850 | $1,450 | +28% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $400 | -55% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $2,850 | $2,570 | +11% |
| Cost Index | 119 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
State College offers 1% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Grants Pass delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in State College is estimated at
$55,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | State College | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 54,622 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $45,424 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
State College runs warmer on average — a 50.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, State College comes out ahead with 244 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — State College sees 18.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | State College | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 19.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 36.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 18.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 244 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
State College scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, State College leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | State College | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 16 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
State College is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Grants Pass is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, State College has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | State College | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 41,050 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.21% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 21.2 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.00% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
State College
Advantages
High walkability score, with many errands accomplishable on foot in the downtown area.
Strong educational environment due to the presence of Pennsylvania State University.
Vibrant cultural scene with numerous festivals, arts events, and entertainment venues.
Lower than national average violent crime rate, contributing to a generally safe environment.
Affordable home care options compared to the state average.
Drawbacks
Cost of living is higher than the national average, primarily driven by housing costs.
The median age in the borough is very low (21.2), indicating a significant student population which may influence the city's overall character and services.
While the borough is walkable, surrounding areas may have higher car dependency.
Crime rate is higher than the Pennsylvania state average, though lower than the national average for some metrics.
Median household income in the borough is significantly lower than 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.
State College
#576Pennsylvania, USA
46.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,850
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
119
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
244/yr
Avg Temp
50.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.21%
Unemployment
5.00%
Livability
86
Business
68
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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