City Comparison
Guelph vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Guelph scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Guelph
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Guelph is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
14% lower than in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Guelph | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,450 | -7% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $160 | $400 | -60% |
| Transport | $100 | $120 | -17% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $150 | +33% |
| Monthly Total | $2,210 | $2,570 | -14% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 19% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Grants Pass delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Guelph is estimated at
$45,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Guelph | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 56,522 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $72,000 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Guelph runs warmer on average — a 45.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Guelph comes out ahead with 229 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Guelph sees 61.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Guelph | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 45.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 78.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 13.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 29.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 61.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 229 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Guelph.
Guelph scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Guelph leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Guelph | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Guelph is the larger city
— approximately 3.8x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Guelph is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Guelph has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Guelph | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,000 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.10% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Guelph
Advantages
Unemployment rate in Guelph consistently tracks below the national average per Statistics Canada 2025 data.
Consistently ranked among the safest mid-sized cities in Canada with low violent crime indexes.
Home to the internationally renowned University of Guelph, driving innovation, research, and cultural amenities.
Abundant green spaces, including over 1,000 hectares of parks and protected trails.
Strategic location within the Toronto-Waterloo innovation corridor offering robust economic connectivity.
Drawbacks
Housing and rental costs have risen significantly over recent years due to high regional demand.
Public transit coverage in newer suburban expansions can be less frequent, increasing car dependency.
Winter weather brings significant snowfall averaging over 60 inches, requiring robust municipal snow clearance.
Local rental vacancy rates remain tight, making the apartment hunting process highly competitive.
Traffic congestion during peak rush hours along major arteries like Highway 6 has increased with population growth.
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.
Guelph
#12Ontario, Canada
70.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
229/yr
Avg Temp
45.70°F
Pop. Growth
2.10%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
78
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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