City Comparison
Strabane vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Strabane scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Strabane
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Strabane is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
36% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Strabane's average rent is
41% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Strabane | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,450 | -41% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $160 | $400 | -60% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,650 | $2,570 | -36% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 47% lower 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 Strabane is estimated at
$28,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Strabane | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $34,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $28,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 41,463 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $31,000 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Strabane runs warmer on average — a 49.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Strabane comes out ahead with 187 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Strabane sees 9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Strabane | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 49.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 64.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 36.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 46.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 9.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 187 | |
| Humidity | 82.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Strabane.
Strabane scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Strabane leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Strabane | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Strabane.
From a growth perspective, Grants Pass is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Strabane has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Strabane | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 13,838 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Strabane
Advantages
Median home purchase prices are significantly lower than the UK national average per Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA).
Scenic proximity to the Sperrin Mountains and River Mourne offers exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities.
Low violent crime rates contribute to a strong sense of personal security and community safety.
Rich cultural scene anchored by local institutions like the Alley Theatre and historic literary roots.
Manageable daily traffic congestion keeps average local commute times well below major UK city levels.
Drawbacks
Public transit options are limited compared to larger urban centers, increasing reliance on private vehicles.
Local employment market offers fewer specialized corporate roles, often requiring commutes to Derry-Londonderry or Belfast.
Retail and entertainment options within the town are more modest than those found in major metropolitan hubs.
Higher reliance on local primary care facilities with major acute medical services located in neighboring towns.
Variable weather patterns featuring high annual rainfall typical of the west of Northern Ireland.
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.
Strabane
#9Northern Ireland, UK
63.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$34,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
187/yr
Avg Temp
49.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
76
Business
65
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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