Performance
Score Breakdown
Johnstown
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Johnstown is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
28% lower compared to Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Johnstown's average rent is
55% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Johnstown | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $655 | $1,450 | -55% |
| Groceries | $425 | $450 | -6% |
| Utilities | $239 | $400 | -40% |
| Transport | $387 | $120 | +223% |
| Healthcare | $149 | $150 | -1% |
| Monthly Total | $1,855 | $2,570 | -28% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 60% 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 Johnstown is estimated at
$35,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Johnstown | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $25,800 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $35,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 27,742 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $37,888 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Johnstown | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Johnstown scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Johnstown leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Johnstown | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 27.0/10 |
| Walkability | 45.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Johnstown.
From a growth perspective, Grants Pass is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Grants Pass has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Johnstown | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,539 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 44.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.80% | 5.60% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Johnstown
Advantages
The cost of living in Johnstown is significantly lower than the national average, particularly for housing.
Median home property values in Johnstown are considerably more affordable than the national average, making homeownership accessible.
The average commute time of 20 minutes is shorter than the national average, improving daily convenience for residents.
Johnstown has a strong healthcare sector with major employers like Conemaugh Health System, providing local job opportunities and medical services.
The city offers a rich historical and cultural experience, including museums and local sports teams.
Drawbacks
Johnstown's population is projected to decline, indicating potential challenges in growth and development.
The median household income in Johnstown is substantially lower than the national average.
A significant percentage of Johnstown families live in poverty, highlighting economic challenges.
The safety index for Johnstown is relatively low, suggesting concerns about crime.
Utilities and transportation costs are slightly higher than the national average, offsetting some of the housing affordability.
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.
Johnstown
#106Pennsylvania, USA
58.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$655
Avg Salary
$25,800
Cost Index
93
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
45.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.80%
Livability
60
Business
55
Grants Pass
#69Oregon, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$64,331
Cost Index
112
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
27.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
5.60%
Livability
70
Business
60
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