City Comparison
Surrey vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Surrey scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Surrey
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Surrey is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
18% lower compared to Grants Pass.
| Metric | Surrey | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,462 | $1,450 | +1% |
| Groceries | $287 | $450 | -36% |
| Utilities | $122 | $400 | -70% |
| Transport | $80 | $120 | -33% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,101 | $2,570 | -18% |
| Cost Index | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 46% lower average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Surrey is estimated at
$45,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Surrey | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $34,490 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $58,000 |
| Household Income | $62,353 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Surrey | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
9,500 minutes (158 hours) per year compared to Surrey.
Surrey scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Surrey leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Surrey | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 37 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 47.0/10 | 27.0/10 |
| Walkability | 46.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 163.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Surrey is the larger city
— approximately 18x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Surrey is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Surrey has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Surrey | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 721,000 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.10% | 5.60% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Surrey
Advantages
Surrey is one of Canada's fastest-growing cities, with a rapidly increasing population and strong economic indicators. [cite: 15, 43, previous search]
The city boasts a robust and diverse economy, with a company growth rate of 2.2% as of October 2025. [cite: 2, previous search]
Surrey's unemployment rate is low at 5.1% (October 2025), indicating a healthy job market. [cite: 2, previous search]
Crime rates in Surrey are 12% lower than the British Columbia average, contributing to a sense of safety. [cite: 31, previous search]
The city offers a more affordable cost of living compared to Vancouver, particularly in housing. [cite: 24, 29, previous search]
Drawbacks
Despite being more affordable than Vancouver, housing costs in Surrey remain a significant expense, with a median home price of $845,000 CAD in April 2026.
The average commute time is approximately 37 minutes, and traffic congestion can be high.
Surrey is considered a car-dependent city, with a Walk Score of 46 and a Transit Score of 47. [cite: 6, 14, previous search]
While public transit is available, the options are somewhat limited compared to more densely populated urban centers. [cite: 14, previous search]
Home care costs can be substantial, averaging around $3,440 USD per month for moderate care.
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.
Surrey
#7British Columbia, Canada
73.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,462
Avg Salary
$34,490
Cost Index
Commute
37 min
Transit Score
47.0/10
Walkability
46.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.50%
Unemployment
5.10%
Livability
74
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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