City Comparison
Swift Current vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Swift Current scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Swift Current
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Swift Current is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
26% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Swift Current's average rent is
34% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Swift Current | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,450 | -34% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $210 | $400 | -48% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $180 | $150 | +20% |
| Monthly Total | $1,890 | $2,570 | -26% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 19% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Swift Current delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Swift Current is estimated at
$42,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Swift Current | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,176 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $65,000 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Swift Current runs warmer on average — a 41.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Swift Current comes out ahead with 276 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Swift Current sees 38.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Swift Current | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 41.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 73.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 1.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 16.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 38.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 276 | |
| Humidity | 60.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Swift Current has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Grants Pass.
Swift Current scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Swift Current leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Swift Current | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Swift Current.
From a growth perspective, Grants Pass is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Swift Current has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Swift Current | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 16,790 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Swift Current
Advantages
Housing affordability remains significantly better than the national Canadian average.
Strategic location along the Trans-Canada Highway supports regional commerce and travel.
Low crime rates and a strong sense of community safety.
Abundant recreational facilities, including the Swift Current Creek pathway system.
Strong local economy anchored by agriculture, energy, and healthcare.
Drawbacks
Winters are long and feature harsh sub-zero temperatures requiring preparation.
Limited public transit infrastructure makes car ownership practically essential.
Geographic isolation from major metropolitan centers like Calgary or Regina.
Fewer high-paying corporate headquarters or tech sector employment options.
Limited commercial flight options directly out of the local area.
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.
Swift Current
#19Saskatchewan, Canada
68.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
85
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
276/yr
Avg Temp
41.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
76
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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