City Comparison
Flaxmere vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Flaxmere scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Flaxmere
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Flaxmere is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
54% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Flaxmere's average rent is
74% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Flaxmere | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $380 | $1,450 | -74% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $160 | $400 | -60% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $100 | $150 | -33% |
| Monthly Total | $1,190 | $2,570 | -54% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 25% 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 Flaxmere is estimated at
$42,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Flaxmere | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 54,545 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $52,000 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Flaxmere runs warmer on average — a 58.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Flaxmere comes out ahead with 262 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Flaxmere sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Flaxmere | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 58.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 56.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 56.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 32.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 262 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Flaxmere scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Flaxmere leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Flaxmere | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Flaxmere.
From a growth perspective, Flaxmere is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Flaxmere has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Flaxmere | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,500 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.10% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Flaxmere
Advantages
Housing affordability is notably higher in Flaxmere compared to major New Zealand metropolitan centers.
Abundant sunshine and a pleasant maritime climate characteristic of the Hawke's Bay region.
Strong community spirit and rich cultural diversity, particularly strong Māori heritage and community networks.
Proximity to world-class Hawke's Bay wineries, cycling trails, and outdoor recreation areas.
Short commuting distances to employment centers in Hastings and Napier.
Drawbacks
Higher reliance on private motor vehicles due to limited local rapid transit options.
Property crime rates have historically been higher than the national median, requiring active community vigilance.
Fewer high-paying corporate headquarters locally, requiring commuting for certain professional career paths.
General retail and entertainment amenities within the immediate suburb are more limited compared to central Hastings.
Vulnerability to regional economic fluctuations tied to seasonal agricultural and horticultural cycles.
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.
Flaxmere
#47Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
58.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$380
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
262/yr
Avg Temp
58.30°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
5.10%
Livability
72
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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