City Comparison
Kelowna vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Kelowna scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Kelowna
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grants Pass is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
11% higher compared to Kelowna.
Housing costs are a major driver: Kelowna's average rent is
28% higher than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Kelowna | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,860 | $1,450 | +28% |
| Groceries | $430 | $450 | -4% |
| Utilities | $180 | $400 | -55% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $2,840 | $2,570 | +11% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Kelowna offers 1% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Kelowna delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Kelowna is estimated at
$72,396 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Kelowna | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $72,396 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,185 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $75,500 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Kelowna runs warmer on average — a 52°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Kelowna comes out ahead with 259 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Kelowna sees 24.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Kelowna | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 26.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 19.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 24.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 259 | |
| Humidity | 52.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Kelowna.
Kelowna scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Grants Pass leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Kelowna | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/10 | 27.0/10 |
| Walkability | 35.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Kelowna is the larger city
— approximately 3.6x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Kelowna is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Kelowna has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Kelowna | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 144,576 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 42.7 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 5.60% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Kelowna
Advantages
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities including water sports, hiking, and skiing.
Thriving wine region with numerous vineyards and wineries.
Growing technology and healthcare sectors offering diverse job opportunities.
High number of sunny days annually contributing to a pleasant climate.
Strong sense of community and active lifestyle.
Drawbacks
High cost of housing, particularly for home ownership and rentals, making it less affordable than the Canadian average.
Significant car dependency and increasing traffic congestion due to urban growth.
Limited public transit options outside of major corridors, impacting walkability and transit scores.
While crime rates are declining, public perception of safety, particularly regarding property crime, remains a concern.
Increasing demand on infrastructure and services due to population growth, despite recent moderation in growth rates.
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.
Kelowna
#32British Columbia, Canada
53.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,860
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
35.0/10
Sunny Days
259/yr
Avg Temp
52.00°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
78
Business
75
Grants Pass
#133Oregon, USA
49.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$64,331
Cost Index
112
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
27.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
5.60%
Livability
70
Business
60
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