City Comparison
Abbotsford vs Rexburg
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Abbotsford scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Abbotsford
Rexburg
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Rexburg is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
23% higher compared to Abbotsford.
Housing costs are a major driver: Abbotsford's average rent is
27% higher than Rexburg's.
| Metric | Abbotsford | Rexburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,324 | $1,044 | +27% |
| Groceries | $446 | $262 | +70% |
| Utilities | $185 | $180 | +3% |
| Transport | $120 | $150 | -20% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,325 | $1,886 | +23% |
| Cost Index | 75 | 116 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Rexburg offers 15% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Abbotsford delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Abbotsford is estimated at
$45,000 vs $55,000 in Rexburg.
| Metric | Abbotsford | Rexburg |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $33,790 | $39,531 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 45,053 idx | 34,078 idx |
| Household Income | $63,306 | $50,617 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Abbotsford | Rexburg |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Rexburg has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Abbotsford.
Abbotsford scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Rexburg leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Abbotsford | Rexburg |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 70.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 20.0/10 | 42.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Abbotsford is the larger city
— approximately 3.8x the population of Rexburg.
From a growth perspective, Abbotsford is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Rexburg has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Abbotsford | Rexburg |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 178,976 | 47,466 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.06% | 0.32% |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 21.0 |
| Unemployment | 6.91% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Abbotsford
Advantages
Abbotsford's crime rates are 35% lower than the British Columbia average.
The cost of living in Abbotsford is 7% lower than the British Columbia average.
Abbotsford was ranked as the third-best city in Canada for livability in a March 2026 study, largely due to its affordability and disposable income.
The city has a strong economic climate and has been recognized as a favorable place to do business.
Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre is a 300-bed facility offering a wide range of healthcare services.
Drawbacks
Abbotsford's walkability score is low (2/10), meaning most destinations require a car.
A March 2026 study noted Abbotsford's safety ranking was lower compared to other major Canadian cities.
The city scores worse or no better in seven of nine indicators related to the healthy built environment.
Concerns about the quality of care at Abbotsford Regional Hospital have been raised in recent years.
Household incomes have not kept pace with the rising housing costs, which increased significantly between 2016 and 2021.
Rexburg
Advantages
Low crime rates contribute to a high safety score and a family-friendly environment.
Affordable cost of living, particularly for housing and daily expenses, compared to national averages.
Strong sense of community and family-oriented atmosphere, enhanced by the presence of BYU-Idaho.
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities, with proximity to national parks like Yellowstone and Grand Teton.
Short average commute times, making daily travel more efficient.
Drawbacks
Limited nightlife and entertainment options, characteristic of a smaller, quieter town.
Harsh winters with significant snowfall and cold temperatures impact daily activities.
Housing market can be competitive, with desirable properties selling quickly.
Car dependency is high due to limited public transit options.
The median age is very low (21), indicating a strong student population which may influence the city's overall social dynamic.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Abbotsford
#26British Columbia, Canada
59.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,324
Avg Salary
$33,790
Cost Index
75
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
70.0/10
Walkability
20.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.06%
Unemployment
6.91%
Livability
73
Business
68
Rexburg
#90Idaho, USA
56.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,044
Avg Salary
$39,531
Cost Index
116
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
42.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.32%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
75
Business
68
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