City Comparison
Estevan vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Estevan scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Estevan
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Estevan is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
30% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Estevan's average rent is
38% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Estevan | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $900 | $1,450 | -38% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $400 | -55% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $150 | +33% |
| Monthly Total | $1,800 | $2,570 | -30% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 4% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Estevan delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Estevan is estimated at
$48,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Estevan | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,391 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $94,000 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Estevan runs warmer on average — a 39.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Estevan comes out ahead with 287 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Estevan sees 24.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Estevan | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 39.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 74.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | -2.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 20.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 24.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 287 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Estevan has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Grants Pass.
Estevan scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Estevan leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Estevan | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 14 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Estevan.
From a growth perspective, Grants Pass is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Estevan has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Estevan | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,851 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 38.8 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Estevan
Advantages
Median home purchase prices in Estevan are roughly 18% lower than the national average per regional housing data.
The city records some of the highest annual hours of sunshine in Canada, offering an exceptionally bright climate.
Average monthly rental costs are substantially below national and provincial urban equivalents.
Strong local focus on discretionary income ranks the community favorably for household liquid assets within Saskatchewan.
Short local commute times and minimal traffic congestion provide a stress-free daily driving environment.
Drawbacks
Local employment and municipal economic cycles remain closely tied to volatility in global oil, gas, and coal markets.
Winters are long, harsh, and subject to deep sub-zero temperatures typical of the Canadian prairies.
Public mass transit options are extremely limited, resulting in high car dependency for daily errands.
Access to specialized medical care requires traveling over 100 miles to larger urban hospitals in Regina.
Transition policies surrounding traditional coal power generation introduce long-term labor market uncertainties.
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.
Estevan
#25Saskatchewan, Canada
67.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$900
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
14 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
287/yr
Avg Temp
39.90°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
75
Business
70
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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