Performance
Score Breakdown
Barrie
Pawtucket
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Barrie is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
12% lower compared to Pawtucket.
| Metric | Barrie | Pawtucket | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,669 | $1,788 | -7% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $182 | $180 | +1% |
| Transport | $90 | $90 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,391 | $2,708 | -12% |
| Cost Index | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Pawtucket offers 24% lower average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Barrie is estimated at
$66,756 vs $55,000 in Pawtucket.
| Metric | Barrie | Pawtucket |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $50,212 | $66,498 |
| Salary Needed | $66,756 | $55,000 |
| Household Income | $73,434 | $68,310 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Barrie | Pawtucket |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Barrie has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
13,000 minutes (217 hours) per year compared to Pawtucket.
Pawtucket scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Pawtucket leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Barrie | Pawtucket |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 71.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Barrie is the larger city
— approximately 2.2x the population of Pawtucket.
From a growth perspective, Barrie is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Pawtucket has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Barrie | Pawtucket |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,419 | 75,893 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.10% | 1.10% |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 9.20% | 3.90% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Barrie
Advantages
Barrie has been consistently ranked as one of Canada's safest cities, with a Crime Severity Index significantly below the national average.
The city is experiencing strong population growth, projected to nearly double by 2051, indicating a dynamic and expanding community.
Housing costs in Barrie are considerably lower than in the Greater Toronto Area, offering more affordable homeownership opportunities.
Its prime location on Kempenfelt Bay provides extensive waterfront access, beaches, and outdoor recreational activities year-round.
The Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) is a major regional hospital and Level III trauma centre, ensuring high-quality healthcare access.
Drawbacks
Barrie experienced a relatively high unemployment rate of 9.2% in April 2026, which is above the national average.
A significant portion of Barrie's working residents commute to the Greater Toronto Area, leading to longer commute times for many.
Rental prices in Barrie are slightly above the Canadian national average, impacting affordability for renters.
While efforts are underway, the current job market requires further development to meet the needs of its growing population and reduce out-of-city commuting.
Specific public transit and walkability scores are not readily available, suggesting potential areas for improvement in urban mobility infrastructure.
Pawtucket
Advantages
Pawtucket is the third most walkable city in Rhode Island, with a Walk Score of 71, making it easy to run errands on foot.
The median household income in Pawtucket was $68,310 in 2024, which is competitive within the region.
Pawtucket's cost of living is generally more affordable than the national average, with a cost of living index of 95.
The city has a rich industrial history and is home to the Slater Mill Historic Site, a National Historic Landmark.
Pawtucket has a growing arts scene and is actively involved in community development programs.
Drawbacks
Pawtucket has a crime rate that is considerably higher than the national average, with a violent crime rate of 307.6 per 100,000 residents in 2024.
The unemployment rate in Pawtucket was 3.9% as of June 2026, which is higher than the national average of 4.1% in 2024.
Pawtucket's walkability score of 41 indicates a significant car dependency, despite its overall walkability ranking in the state.
While improving, the crime trajectory in Pawtucket is noted as 'improving' based on 5 years of data, suggesting past higher rates.
Pawtucket has a higher poverty rate (13.3%) than the national average (12.5%).
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Barrie
#23Ontario, Canada
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,669
Avg Salary
$50,212
Cost Index
Commute
min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.10%
Unemployment
9.20%
Livability
75
Business
65
Pawtucket
#25Rhode Island, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,788
Avg Salary
$66,498
Cost Index
95
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
71.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
74
Business
68
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