City Comparison
Kamloops vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Kamloops scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Kamloops
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Kamloops is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
8% lower than in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Kamloops | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,450 | 0% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $400 | -56% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $150 | +33% |
| Monthly Total | $2,355 | $2,570 | -8% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 10% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Kamloops delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Kamloops is estimated at
$50,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Kamloops | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,184 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $68,500 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Kamloops runs warmer on average — a 50.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Kamloops comes out ahead with 268 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Kamloops sees 29.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Kamloops | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 83.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 21.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 16.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 29.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 268 | |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Kamloops scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Kamloops leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Kamloops | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Kamloops is the larger city
— approximately 2.4x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Kamloops is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Kamloops has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Kamloops | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,902 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.40% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Kamloops
Advantages
Significantly more affordable housing options and overall cost of living compared to coastal British Columbia cities like Vancouver.
Exceptional access to outdoor recreation, including world-class mountain biking, hiking, and proximity to Sun Peaks Resort.
Abundant sunshine averaging over 2,000 hours annually, providing a dry and pleasant semi-arid climate.
Strong educational and research presence anchored by Thompson Rivers University.
Vibrant community spirit as the designated Tournament Capital of Canada with extensive sports and recreation infrastructure.
Drawbacks
Local healthcare system experiences provider shortages and pressures common to regional British Columbia medical facilities.
Summer wildfire risks and seasonal smoke can occasionally impact air quality and outdoor activities.
Property crime rates, particularly theft and vehicle break-ins, remain higher than the provincial rural average.
Public transit system is car-centric, making efficient travel difficult without a personal vehicle outside of main corridors.
Continental winters bring extended periods of cold temperatures and occasional heavy snowfall.
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.
Kamloops
#42British Columbia, Canada
61.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
268/yr
Avg Temp
50.70°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
5.40%
Livability
76
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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