Disclosed is a mechanism for efficient channel selection in a wireless communication system. A wireless communication device (WCD) receives from a radio access network (RAN) a channel list message that specifies channels on which the RAN communicates in a coverage area. Further, the WCD receives from the RAN for at least a given one of the channels an expected delta value indicating an expected difference in signal strength between that channel and another channel. The WCD may then take an actual measurement of signal strength on the other channel and apply the expected delta to predict a signal strength of the given channel. Based on the predicted signal strength being threshold low, the WCD may then select a channel other than the given channel on which to communicate with the RAN, and the WCD may then communicate with the RAN on the selected channel.