City Comparison
Selkirk vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Selkirk scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Selkirk
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Selkirk is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Selkirk | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,400 | $1,450 | -3% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $400 | -55% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $150 | +33% |
| Monthly Total | $2,300 | $2,570 | -11% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 10% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Selkirk delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Selkirk is estimated at
$50,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Selkirk | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,184 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $65,000 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Selkirk runs warmer on average — a 39.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Selkirk comes out ahead with 270 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Selkirk sees 28.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Selkirk | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 39.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 75.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | -4.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 25.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 28.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 270 | |
| Humidity | 60.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Selkirk scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Selkirk leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Selkirk | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Selkirk.
From a growth perspective, Selkirk 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 | Selkirk | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,200 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.00% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 42.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 6.50% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Selkirk
Advantages
Abundant access to outdoor recreation including hiking, fishing, and winter sports
Lower average housing costs compared to major British Columbia urban centers
Strong community safety and low neighborhood crime rates
Scenic natural surroundings with clean air and a relaxed pace of life
Tight-knit community feel with active local civic engagement
Drawbacks
Limited public transportation infrastructure requiring high car dependency
Fewer high-paying corporate job opportunities locally
Colder winter temperatures require higher seasonal heating costs
Limited specialized healthcare services locally requiring travel
Smaller local market for entertainment, dining, and cultural venues
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.
Selkirk
#51British Columbia, Canada
60.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,400
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
270/yr
Avg Temp
39.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.00%
Unemployment
6.50%
Livability
77
Business
65
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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