City Comparison
Terre Haute vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Terre Haute scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Terre Haute
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Terre Haute is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
34% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Terre Haute's average rent is
41% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Terre Haute | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,450 | -41% |
| Groceries | $350 | $450 | -22% |
| Utilities | $165 | $400 | -59% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $150 | +40% |
| Monthly Total | $1,685 | $2,570 | -34% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 19% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Terre Haute delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Terre Haute is estimated at
$42,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Terre Haute | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,905 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $47,500 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Terre Haute runs warmer on average — a 55.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Terre Haute comes out ahead with 257 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Terre Haute sees 18.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Terre Haute | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 21.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 39.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 18.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 257 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Terre Haute scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Terre Haute leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Terre Haute | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Terre Haute is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x 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, Terre Haute has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Terre Haute | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,380 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.20% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Terre Haute
Advantages
Median home prices in Terre Haute are substantially lower than the national average per recent housing market data.
The city features multiple reputable higher education institutions including Indiana State University and Rose-Hulman.
An affordable cost of living allows residents to stretch their household budgets further compared to major metro areas.
A manageable average commute time reduces daily transit stress for local workers.
Ongoing downtown revitalization projects are bringing new dining, retail, and entertainment options to the city core.
Drawbacks
Average local salaries lag behind national medians, reflecting the regional economic structure.
Public transit options are limited, resulting in high car dependency for daily errands and commuting.
Job growth rates in certain high-tech sectors are slower compared to major national innovation hubs.
Winters can be cold and snowy, requiring preparation for harsh seasonal weather conditions.
Certain neighborhoods face economic transition challenges that impact local property values and safety metrics.
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.
Terre Haute
#413Indiana, USA
57.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
84
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
257/yr
Avg Temp
55.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.20%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
70
Business
63
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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