Performance
Score Breakdown
Hsinchu
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Hsinchu is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
60% lower compared to Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Hsinchu's average rent is
70% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Hsinchu | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $440 | $1,450 | -70% |
| Groceries | $424 | $450 | -6% |
| Utilities | $127 | $400 | -68% |
| Transport | $41 | $120 | -66% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $150 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,032 | $2,570 | -60% |
| Cost Index | 39 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 96% 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 Hsinchu is estimated at
$1,336 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Hsinchu | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $2,504 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $1,336 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 6,421 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $143,905 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Hsinchu | 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
Hsinchu has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
9,000 minutes (150 hours) per year compared to Grants Pass.
Grants Pass 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 | Hsinchu | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 27.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 47.20 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Hsinchu is the larger city
— approximately 11.5x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Grants Pass is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Hsinchu has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Hsinchu | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 460,552 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.36% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 45.4 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.35% | 5.60% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hsinchu
Advantages
Hsinchu boasts a strong economy driven by its world-leading high-tech industry, offering abundant job opportunities, particularly in semiconductors and related fields [3, 7, 11].
The city is recognized for its high safety levels, with a very low crime rate, contributing to a secure living environment for residents [4, 5, 20, 22].
Hsinchu offers a good quality of life with a blend of modern amenities, cultural attractions, and accessible natural spaces [5, 7].
The city has a relatively affordable cost of living compared to other major tech hubs globally, especially when considering the high average salaries [4, 12].
Hsinchu has a growing population and a dynamic community, particularly among young professionals and families attracted by the tech sector [8, 11].
Drawbacks
The economy is heavily reliant on the tech sector, making it vulnerable to global industry fluctuations [3, 7].
Housing prices, especially near the Science Park, can be high due to strong demand from the tech workforce [4, 10, 11].
While public transport exists, car dependency might be higher for some residents, especially those commuting outside the immediate city center.
The city's rapid development and concentration of industry may lead to environmental pressures or traffic congestion in certain areas.
Limited diversity in major industries outside of technology could pose challenges during economic downturns affecting the tech sector.
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.
Hsinchu
#1Taiwan, China
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$440
Avg Salary
$2,504
Cost Index
39
Commute
min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.36%
Unemployment
3.35%
Livability
85
Business
80
Grants Pass
#86Oregon, 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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