City Comparison
Portage la Prairie vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Portage la Prairie scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Portage la Prairie
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Portage la Prairie is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
31% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Portage la Prairie's average rent is
38% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Portage la Prairie | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $900 | $1,450 | -38% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $160 | $400 | -60% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $150 | +33% |
| Monthly Total | $1,770 | $2,570 | -31% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 19% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Portage la Prairie delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Portage la Prairie is estimated at
$42,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Portage la Prairie | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,415 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $58,000 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Portage la Prairie runs warmer on average — a 39.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Portage la Prairie comes out ahead with 278 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Portage la Prairie sees 25.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Portage la Prairie | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 39.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 75.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | -4.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 20.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 25.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 278 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Portage la Prairie scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Portage la Prairie leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Portage la Prairie | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Portage la Prairie.
From a growth perspective, Portage la Prairie is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Portage la Prairie has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Portage la Prairie | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 13,500 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.40% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Portage la Prairie
Advantages
Affordable housing market with home prices significantly below the national average per Statistics Canada data.
Major industrial expansions by companies like Roquette and J.R. Simplot drive local job growth.
Abundant outdoor recreation centered around Island Park and Crescent Lake.
Strategic location along the Trans-Canada Highway providing easy access to Winnipeg.
Strong sense of community with numerous local festivals and family-oriented events.
Drawbacks
High reliance on personal vehicles due to limited public transit infrastructure.
Winters feature severe cold temperatures and significant frost conditions.
Property crime rates slightly exceed national averages for small cities.
Limited high-end dining and entertainment options within city limits.
Healthcare sector faces occasional staffing pressures typical of rural regional centers.
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.
Portage la Prairie
#29British Columbia, Canada
65.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$900
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
278/yr
Avg Temp
39.80°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
5.40%
Livability
73
Business
69
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Portage la Prairie and Grants Pass.
Open Cost Calculator