City Comparison
Markham vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Markham scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Markham
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grants Pass is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in Markham.
Housing costs are a major driver: Markham's average rent is
34% higher than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Markham | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,450 | +34% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $400 | -56% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Monthly Total | $2,880 | $2,570 | +12% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Markham offers 6% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Markham delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Markham is estimated at
$60,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Markham | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,627 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $85,000 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Markham runs warmer on average — a 47°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Markham comes out ahead with 239 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Markham sees 52.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Markham | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 47.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 15.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 32.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 52.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 239 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,000 minutes (117 hours) per year compared to Markham.
Markham scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Markham leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Markham | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 54.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 56.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Markham is the larger city
— approximately 8.5x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Markham 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 | Markham | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 338,503 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 6.80% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Markham
Advantages
Recognized as Canada's high-tech capital with over 1,000 technology companies providing robust employment opportunities.
Consistently ranks among the safest large municipalities in Canada with low violent crime rates.
Exceptional ethnic and cultural diversity reflected in world-class dining, festivals, and community programs.
Access to top-tier public education systems and high-performing schools across York Region.
Extensive parks, green spaces, and recreational facilities supporting an active outdoor lifestyle.
Drawbacks
Significantly high cost of living and housing prices compared to the national Canadian average.
High degree of car dependency in suburban neighborhoods leading to notable commuter traffic on major arteries.
Competitive rental market with elevated monthly costs for apartments and townhouses.
Property tax rates and municipal fees reflect the suburban infrastructure maintenance costs.
Cold winter climate featuring significant annual snowfall requires regular winter maintenance.
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.
Markham
#45Ontario, Canada
61.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
54.0/100
Sunny Days
239/yr
Avg Temp
47.00°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
6.80%
Livability
83
Business
84
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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