City Comparison
Barrie vs Rexburg
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Barrie scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Barrie
Rexburg
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Rexburg is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
27% higher compared to Barrie.
Housing costs are a major driver: Barrie's average rent is
60% higher than Rexburg's.
| Metric | Barrie | Rexburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,669 | $1,044 | +60% |
| Groceries | $450 | $262 | +72% |
| Utilities | $182 | $180 | +1% |
| Transport | $90 | $150 | -40% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,391 | $1,886 | +27% |
| Cost Index | 116 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Barrie offers 27% higher average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Barrie is estimated at
$66,756 vs $55,000 in Rexburg.
| Metric | Barrie | Rexburg |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $50,212 | $39,531 |
| Salary Needed | $66,756 | $55,000 |
| Household Income | $73,434 | $50,617 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Barrie | Rexburg |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Barrie has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
9,000 minutes (150 hours) per year compared to Rexburg.
Rexburg 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 | Barrie | Rexburg |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 42.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Barrie is the larger city
— approximately 3.6x the population of Rexburg.
From a growth perspective, Barrie 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 | Barrie | Rexburg |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,419 | 47,466 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.10% | 0.32% |
| Median Age | 39.8 | 21.0 |
| Unemployment | 9.20% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Barrie
Advantages
Barrie has been consistently ranked as one of Canada's safest cities, with a Crime Severity Index significantly below the national average.
The city is experiencing strong population growth, projected to nearly double by 2051, indicating a dynamic and expanding community.
Housing costs in Barrie are considerably lower than in the Greater Toronto Area, offering more affordable homeownership opportunities.
Its prime location on Kempenfelt Bay provides extensive waterfront access, beaches, and outdoor recreational activities year-round.
The Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) is a major regional hospital and Level III trauma centre, ensuring high-quality healthcare access.
Drawbacks
Barrie experienced a relatively high unemployment rate of 9.2% in April 2026, which is above the national average.
A significant portion of Barrie's working residents commute to the Greater Toronto Area, leading to longer commute times for many.
Rental prices in Barrie are slightly above the Canadian national average, impacting affordability for renters.
While efforts are underway, the current job market requires further development to meet the needs of its growing population and reduce out-of-city commuting.
Specific public transit and walkability scores are not readily available, suggesting potential areas for improvement in urban mobility infrastructure.
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.
Barrie
#4Ontario, Canada
77.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,669
Avg Salary
$50,212
Cost Index
Commute
min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.10%
Unemployment
9.20%
Livability
75
Business
65
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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