Performance
Score Breakdown
Summerside
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Summerside is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
43% lower compared to Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Summerside's average rent is
39% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Summerside | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $882 | $1,450 | -39% |
| Groceries | $312 | $450 | -31% |
| Utilities | $186 | $400 | -54% |
| Transport | $46 | $120 | -62% |
| Healthcare | $50 | $150 | -67% |
| Monthly Total | $1,476 | $2,570 | -43% |
| Cost Index | 99 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 52% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Grants Pass delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Summerside is estimated at
$35,280 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Summerside | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $30,659 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $35,280 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 30,969 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $45,050 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Summerside | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 78.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Summerside 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 | Summerside | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/10 | 27.0/10 |
| Walkability | 26.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Summerside.
From a growth perspective, Summerside 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 | Summerside | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 19,557 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.90% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 44.9 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 7.60% | 5.60% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Summerside
Advantages
Growing economy with diversification into aerospace, IT, and renewable energy sectors.
Lower housing costs compared to many larger Canadian cities, attracting retirees and remote workers.
Strong sense of community and welcoming environment.
Access to local produce and seafood, contributing to a good quality of life.
Municipally owned electric utility, demonstrating leadership in green energy initiatives.
Drawbacks
Summerside's crime rates are significantly higher than the national average, particularly for property and violent crimes.
The city is largely car-dependent due to limited public transit options.
Average salaries in Summerside are lower than the Canadian national average.
The unemployment rate in Prince Edward Island (and by extension, Summerside) is higher than the national average.
Housing affordability is becoming a concern, with incomes lagging behind rising home prices, making it challenging for some residents.
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.
Summerside
#24Prince Edward Island, Canada
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$882
Avg Salary
$30,659
Cost Index
99
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
40.0/10
Walkability
26.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.90%
Unemployment
7.60%
Livability
70
Business
72
Grants Pass
#68Oregon, USA
68.0 / 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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