City Comparison
Spruce Grove vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Spruce Grove scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Spruce Grove
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Spruce Grove is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Spruce Grove | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,450 | 0% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $210 | $400 | -48% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Monthly Total | $2,450 | $2,570 | -5% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Spruce Grove offers 6% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Spruce Grove delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Spruce Grove is estimated at
$52,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Spruce Grove | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,388 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $88,000 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Spruce Grove runs warmer on average — a 38.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Spruce Grove comes out ahead with 269 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Spruce Grove sees 43.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Spruce Grove | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 38.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 69.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 1.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 21.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 43.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 269 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to Spruce Grove.
Spruce Grove scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Spruce Grove leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Spruce Grove | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Spruce Grove.
From a growth perspective, Spruce Grove 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 | Spruce Grove | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 37,645 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 4.10% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 6.50% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Spruce Grove
Advantages
Alberta's lack of provincial retail sales tax provides everyday savings on consumer goods and retail purchases per provincial tax guidelines.
Median home prices and rent offerings remain more accessible compared to major metropolitan centers like Toronto, Vancouver, and core Calgary per Zillow/CREA data.
An exceptionally family-oriented community featuring extensive parks, modern multi-use trail networks, and the TransAlta Tri Leisure Centre.
Strategic location along Highway 16 offering a manageable commute to employment and cultural hubs in the greater Edmonton region.
Consistently low crime rates and active community-oriented policing make it one of the safer municipalities in central Alberta per Statistics Canada.
Drawbacks
High level of automobile dependency for daily errands and commuting, as intra-city public transit options are limited compared to core urban centers.
Cold winter climate featuring extended periods of below-freezing temperatures and heavy seasonal snowfall per historical climate records.
Rapid regional population growth has contributed to rising housing costs and increased traffic congestion along major commuter corridors.
Absence of a major acute-care hospital directly within city limits, requiring travel to Stony Plain or Edmonton for specialized medical emergencies.
Limited late-night entertainment, nightlife, and diverse dining options directly within city boundaries compared to neighboring Edmonton.
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.
Spruce Grove
#9Alberta, Canada
71.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
269/yr
Avg Temp
38.90°F
Pop. Growth
4.10%
Unemployment
6.50%
Livability
82
Business
74
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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