City Comparison
Winchester vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Winchester scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Winchester
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grants Pass is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Winchester.
Housing costs are a major driver: Winchester's average rent is
17% higher than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Winchester | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,700 | $1,450 | +17% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $400 | -55% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $2,650 | $2,570 | +3% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 1% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Winchester delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Winchester is estimated at
$55,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Winchester | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,368 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $63,974 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Winchester runs warmer on average — a 55.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Winchester comes out ahead with 261 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Winchester sees 14.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Winchester | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 25.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 35.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 14.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 261 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Winchester scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Winchester leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Winchester | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Winchester.
From a growth perspective, Grants Pass is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Winchester has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Winchester | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,272 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.78% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Winchester
Advantages
Median home purchase values remain notably more affordable than neighboring Northern Virginia markets per Zillow and U.S. Census data.
Winchester registered the third-highest post-2020 Census growth rate among Virginia cities per the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Policy.
Comprehensive medical infrastructure anchored by Winchester Medical Center and Valley Health System ensures top-tier healthcare access.
Robust educational partnerships with Shenandoah University and Laurel Ridge Community College drive strong workforce development.
Proximity to outdoor amenities, including Shenandoah National Park and regional apple orchards, provides exceptional recreational lifestyle value.
Drawbacks
Poverty rates in the immediate city limits stand higher than state averages per recent U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts.
Rents and property values have experienced upward pressure driven by an influx of regional relocations.
Heavy reliance on personal vehicles contributes to localized rush-hour congestion along primary corridors like Interstate 81.
Limited local public transit infrastructure creates high car dependency for daily commuting and errands.
Local sales and meals taxes in the region add slightly to everyday consumer expenses.
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.
Winchester
#289Virginia, USA
61.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,700
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
261/yr
Avg Temp
55.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.78%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
76
Business
70
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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