Performance
Score Breakdown
Barrie
Grand Rapids
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grand Rapids is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
41% higher compared to Barrie.
Housing costs are a major driver: Barrie's average rent is
13% higher than Grand Rapids's.
| Metric | Barrie | Grand Rapids | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,810 | $1,595 | +13% |
| Groceries | $1,460 | $425 | +244% |
| Utilities | $259 | $180 | +44% |
| Transport | $91 | $120 | -24% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $3,620 | $2,570 | +41% |
| Cost Index | 112 | 104 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grand Rapids offers 95% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Grand Rapids delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Barrie is estimated at
$5,425 vs $55,356 in Grand Rapids.
| Metric | Barrie | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $3,480 | $69,014 |
| Salary Needed | $5,425 | $55,356 |
| Purchasing Power | 3,107 idx | 66,360 idx |
| Household Income | $67,000 | $69,108 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Barrie | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 71.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Barrie has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
9,500 minutes (158 hours) per year compared to Grand Rapids.
Grand Rapids scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Grand Rapids leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Barrie | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grand Rapids is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Barrie.
From a growth perspective, Barrie is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Barrie | Grand Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 179,450 | 200,117 |
| Pop. Growth | 4.20% | 0.40% |
| Median Age | 32.3 | |
| Unemployment | 12.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Barrie
Advantages
Barrie was ranked as the second fastest-growing city in Canada in 2025, indicating strong population inflows.
The average home price in Barrie was $711,800 CAD in December 2025, which is more affordable than the Greater Toronto Area.
Barrie is recognized as a safe city, having been ranked among the safest in Canada with a low violent Crime Severity Index.
The Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) is undergoing a significant expansion, planning to double its size and build a new South Campus, enhancing healthcare access.
Barrie boasts over 350 hectares of park space, with 93% of residents having a park or green space close to their home.
Drawbacks
The unemployment rate in Barrie was 12.5% in 2024, which is higher than the national average.
The average rent in Barrie, at $1,810 USD per month as of June 2026, is comparable to the national median rent, indicating it's not significantly cheaper than other areas in Canada.
Food costs are projected to increase, with an average family of four expected to pay an estimated $994.63 CAD more for food in 2026 than in 2025.
Barrie's cost of living is 12% higher than the national average.
The city's rapid growth has led to a shortage of developable lands within its municipal boundary, posing challenges for future housing and employment needs.
Grand Rapids
Advantages
The Grand Rapids metropolitan area's population grew by 0.4% in 2025, outpacing the statewide growth rate.
The average rent in Grand Rapids is $1,595 per month as of June 2026, which is 18% below the national average.
Grand Rapids' economy is projected to see employment growth between 1.0% and 1.6% in 2025.
The city's housing market is competitive, with homes selling in an average of 6 days as of May 2026.
Assisted living and nursing home care costs in Grand Rapids are below national averages, offering more affordable senior care options.
Drawbacks
Grand Rapids has a crime rate of 33 per one thousand residents, which is higher than 95% of communities in Michigan.
The chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Grand Rapids is 1 in 111, higher than the Michigan state average.
Property crime is prevalent, with a 1 in 40 chance of being a victim of theft, burglary, or vandalism.
The overall cost of living in Grand Rapids is slightly above the national average, primarily driven by higher housing costs.
Despite job growth, the number of jobs in the Greater Grand Rapids region has remained mostly flat at around 600,000 for the last three years.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Barrie
#4Ontario, Canada
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,810
Avg Salary
$3,480
Cost Index
112
Commute
min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
4.20%
Unemployment
12.50%
Livability
74
Business
68
Grand Rapids
#19Michigan, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,595
Avg Salary
$69,014
Cost Index
104
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
40.0/10
Walkability
50.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
74
Business
70
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