Performance
Score Breakdown
Cold Lake
Rexburg
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Rexburg is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
27% higher compared to Cold Lake.
Housing costs are a major driver: Cold Lake's average rent is
16% higher than Rexburg's.
| Metric | Cold Lake | Rexburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,210 | $1,044 | +16% |
| Groceries | $321 | $262 | +23% |
| Utilities | $176 | $180 | -2% |
| Transport | $487 | $150 | +225% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $250 | -20% |
| Monthly Total | $2,394 | $1,886 | +27% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 116 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cold Lake offers 17% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Cold Lake delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Cold Lake is estimated at
$40,000 vs $55,000 in Rexburg.
| Metric | Cold Lake | Rexburg |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $46,347 | $39,531 |
| Salary Needed | $40,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 54,526 idx | 34,078 idx |
| Household Income | $85,007 | $50,617 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Cold Lake | Rexburg |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Cold Lake scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Rexburg leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Cold Lake | Rexburg |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 28.0/10 | 42.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Rexburg is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Cold Lake.
From a growth perspective, Cold Lake is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Rexburg has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Cold Lake | Rexburg |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 18,186 | 47,466 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.18% | 0.32% |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 21.0 |
| Unemployment | 7.90% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Cold Lake
Advantages
Average salary in Cold Lake is 19.6% higher than the Canadian national average as of July 2026.
The city benefits from significant defence investment, including a $525M investment at CFB Cold Lake for a Military Fighter Squadron Facility.
Cold Lake Transit offers a free public bus service, enhancing local mobility for residents.
Recent reports from May 2026 indicate a significant downward trend in crime rates, with crimes against persons down 51% and property crimes down 53% year-over-year.
The city is actively pursuing commercial and residential growth, with ongoing planning for future development.
Drawbacks
Cold Lake's overall crime rates are 214% higher than the national average, and violent crimes are 145% higher, based on estimated data.
The regional unemployment rate for Wood Buffalo–Cold Lake was 7.9% in June 2026, which is higher than the national average.
The Cold Lake Healthcare Centre is experiencing chronic understaffing in its emergency room, leading to increased wait times and concerns about patient care as of August 2026.
The city has a low walk score of 28 out of 100, indicating it is a car-dependent neighborhood where most errands require a vehicle.
Limited bike infrastructure, with a bike score of 45, makes cycling challenging for daily errands.
Rexburg
Advantages
Low crime rates contribute to a high safety score and a family-friendly environment.
Affordable cost of living, particularly for housing and daily expenses, compared to national averages.
Strong sense of community and family-oriented atmosphere, enhanced by the presence of BYU-Idaho.
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities, with proximity to national parks like Yellowstone and Grand Teton.
Short average commute times, making daily travel more efficient.
Drawbacks
Limited nightlife and entertainment options, characteristic of a smaller, quieter town.
Harsh winters with significant snowfall and cold temperatures impact daily activities.
Housing market can be competitive, with desirable properties selling quickly.
Car dependency is high due to limited public transit options.
The median age is very low (21), indicating a strong student population which may influence the city's overall social dynamic.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Cold Lake
#26Alberta, Canada
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,210
Avg Salary
$46,347
Cost Index
85
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
28.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.18%
Unemployment
7.90%
Livability
72
Business
65
Rexburg
#28Idaho, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,044
Avg Salary
$39,531
Cost Index
116
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
42.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.32%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
75
Business
68
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