City Comparison
Saguenay vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Saguenay scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Saguenay
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Saguenay is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
32% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Saguenay's average rent is
34% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Saguenay | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,450 | -34% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $150 | $400 | -63% |
| Transport | $100 | $120 | -17% |
| Healthcare | $180 | $150 | +20% |
| Monthly Total | $1,760 | $2,570 | -32% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 19% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Saguenay delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Saguenay is estimated at
$42,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Saguenay | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,091 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $68,000 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Saguenay runs warmer on average — a 38.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Saguenay comes out ahead with 214 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Saguenay sees 82 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Saguenay | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 38.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 73.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | -0.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 46.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 82.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 214 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Saguenay scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Saguenay leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Saguenay | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 50.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Saguenay is the larger city
— approximately 3.6x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Grants Pass 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 | Saguenay | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 144,700 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 45.5 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.80% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Saguenay
Advantages
Median home prices and rental rates are significantly lower than the Canadian national average, offering high housing affordability.
Exceptional access to pristine natural environments, including the Saguenay Fjord and world-class winter recreation.
Very low crime rates and high community safety across all major boroughs.
Stable regional economy anchored by key industrial employers, healthcare, and higher education.
Short average commute times that reduce daily stress compared to major metropolitan centers.
Drawbacks
Harsh winter conditions with heavy snowfall and sub-zero temperatures require robust preparation and higher heating costs.
Public transit options are limited outside of core urban routes, making car ownership practically essential.
Limited job market diversification outside of traditional industrial sectors, healthcare, and public administration.
Smaller local market can mean fewer specialized retail and entertainment options compared to Montreal or Quebec City.
Bilingualism is less prevalent in daily commerce compared to larger cosmopolitan hubs, requiring working proficiency in French.
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.
Saguenay
#18Quebec, Canada
68.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
214/yr
Avg Temp
38.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
5.80%
Livability
80
Business
68
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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