Performance
Score Breakdown
Yakima
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Yakima is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
17% lower compared to Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Yakima's average rent is
22% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Yakima | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,127 | $1,450 | -22% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $274 | $400 | -32% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $153 | $150 | +2% |
| Monthly Total | $2,124 | $2,570 | -17% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 46% 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 Yakima is estimated at
$49,428 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Yakima | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $34,628 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $49,428 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 33,949 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $59,829 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Yakima | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Grants Pass scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Grants Pass leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Yakima | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 27.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Yakima is the larger city
— approximately 2.4x 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, Yakima has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Yakima | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,769 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 40.8 | |
| Unemployment | 5.30% | 5.60% |
| GDP | $13.3B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Yakima
Advantages
Yakima enjoys approximately 300 sunny days per year, making it one of Washington's sunniest major cities.
The cost of living in Yakima is notably affordable, with housing costs significantly lower than the national average.
The region is a world-class wine country with over 120 wineries, offering unique recreational and cultural experiences.
Residents have access to excellent outdoor recreation opportunities, including the Yakima River and nearby mountains, lakes, and trails.
The average commute time in Yakima County is shorter than the Washington state average, at 17.3 minutes.
Drawbacks
Yakima's overall crime rate is 22% higher than the national average, with violent crimes being 52% higher.
The nightlife and cultural scene can be limited, with many establishments closing early and less investment in arts compared to larger cities.
Public transit is not extensive, making car ownership almost essential for getting around the city effectively.
Some specialized medical care may require residents to travel to larger cities outside of Yakima.
Groceries and utilities are slightly more expensive 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.
Yakima
#25Washington, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,127
Avg Salary
$34,628
Cost Index
102
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.30%
Livability
74
Business
68
Grants Pass
#81Oregon, 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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