City Comparison
Bathurst vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bathurst scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bathurst
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Bathurst is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
32% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bathurst's average rent is
34% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Bathurst | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,450 | -34% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $170 | $400 | -58% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $140 | $150 | -7% |
| Monthly Total | $1,750 | $2,570 | -32% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 19% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Bathurst delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Bathurst is estimated at
$45,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Bathurst | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,091 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $58,000 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Bathurst runs warmer on average — a 43.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Bathurst comes out ahead with 238 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Bathurst sees 74.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Bathurst | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 43.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 76.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 10.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 36.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 74.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 238 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Bathurst has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Grants Pass.
Bathurst scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Bathurst leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Bathurst | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Bathurst.
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 | Bathurst | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,786 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 48.5 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 8.50% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Bathurst
Advantages
Median home prices and rental rates are significantly more affordable than the Canadian national average per Statistics Canada.
Proximity to the scenic Chaleur Bay offers exceptional access to boating, fishing, and coastal beaches.
A strong bilingual community culture provides vibrant English and French arts, media, and social events.
Low crime rates and a tight-knit community create a remarkably safe environment for families and retirees.
Access to the Chaleur Regional Hospital ensures quality local healthcare services without needing to travel south.
Drawbacks
Winter weather brings heavy snowfall (74.5 inches annually) and prolonged cold spells requiring winter preparedness.
Public transit options are limited, making owning a personal vehicle essentially mandatory for daily life.
Economic opportunities can be narrower compared to major urban centers, with heavy reliance on public sector and regional industries.
An older demographic skew means fewer high-energy metropolitan nightlife and entertainment options.
Geographic isolation from major metropolitan hubs can result in higher shipping costs for goods and longer travel times.
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.
Bathurst
#49New Brunswick, Canada
60.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
238/yr
Avg Temp
43.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
8.50%
Livability
76
Business
65
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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