City Comparison
Napier vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Napier scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Napier
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Napier | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,450 | +14% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $170 | $400 | -58% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $150 | +53% |
| Monthly Total | $2,580 | $2,570 | 0% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 10% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Napier delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Napier is estimated at
$50,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Napier | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,043 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $61,000 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Napier runs warmer on average — a 59.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Napier comes out ahead with 248 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Napier sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Napier | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 59.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 57.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 57.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 38.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 248 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Napier scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Napier leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Napier | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Napier is the larger city
— approximately 1.7x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Napier is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Napier has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Napier | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 66,600 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 41.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Napier
Advantages
Enjoy one of the highest annual sunshine totals in New Zealand, averaging over 2,400 hours of sun per year.
World-renowned Art Deco architecture provides a unique, highly walkable, and visually striking city center.
Proximity to world-class Hawke's Bay wineries and vineyards offering exceptional local food and wine experiences.
Lower median property purchase costs compared to major metropolitan centers like Auckland and Wellington.
Strong community safety profile and relaxed coastal lifestyle ideal for families and retirees.
Drawbacks
Regional job market is heavily seasonal, particularly around agricultural and horticultural harvest periods.
Public transportation options outside of peak hours are limited, maintaining high car dependency.
Susceptibility to weather events and seismic activity, given the region's geographical history.
Rental vacancy rates can experience tight compression during peak tourism and harvest influxes.
Distance from major international air hubs requires domestic connections for global travel.
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.
Napier
#38Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
62.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
248/yr
Avg Temp
59.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
82
Business
68
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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