City Comparison
Grande Prairie vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Grande Prairie scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Grande Prairie
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grande Prairie is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
15% lower than in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Grande Prairie | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,315 | $1,450 | -9% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $400 | -55% |
| Transport | $90 | $120 | -25% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $150 | +33% |
| Monthly Total | $2,185 | $2,570 | -15% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grande Prairie offers 1% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Grande Prairie delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Grande Prairie is estimated at
$52,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Grande Prairie | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,421 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $74,500 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Grande Prairie runs warmer on average — a 38.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Grande Prairie comes out ahead with 272 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Grande Prairie sees 49 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Grande Prairie | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 38.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 72.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 0.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 14.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 49.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 272 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Grande Prairie scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Grande Prairie leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Grande Prairie | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grande Prairie is the larger city
— approximately 1.8x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Grande Prairie 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 | Grande Prairie | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 70,385 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 6.50% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Grande Prairie
Advantages
Median home purchase prices and rental rates remain significantly lower than major Canadian urban centers
High average household and family incomes provide strong purchasing power and discretionary income
Abundant employment opportunities across thriving energy, forestry, and agricultural sectors
State-of-the-art regional hospital and healthcare infrastructure serving northwestern Alberta
Extensive modern recreational and athletic facilities, including the massive Eastlink Centre
Drawbacks
Severe winter conditions with prolonged freezing temperatures increase heating and utility costs
High reliance on personal vehicles due to limited public transit coverage outside core areas
Property crime rates can occasionally trend higher than the national rural average
Geographic isolation from major metropolitan hubs like Edmonton requires significant travel for specific specialized services
Economic cycles closely tied to global commodity and energy markets create occasional employment volatility
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.
Grande Prairie
#43Alberta, Canada
61.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,315
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
272/yr
Avg Temp
38.90°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
6.50%
Livability
75
Business
70
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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