City Comparison
Newtownabbey vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Newtownabbey scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Newtownabbey
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Newtownabbey is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
31% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Newtownabbey's average rent is
34% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Newtownabbey | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,450 | -34% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $400 | -56% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,765 | $2,570 | -31% |
| Cost Index | 78 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 41% 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 Newtownabbey is estimated at
$32,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Newtownabbey | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $38,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $32,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 48,718 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $41,000 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Newtownabbey runs warmer on average — a 50.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Newtownabbey comes out ahead with 186 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Newtownabbey sees 2.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Newtownabbey | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 66.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 37.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 42.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 2.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 186 | |
| Humidity | 82.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Newtownabbey.
Newtownabbey scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Newtownabbey leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Newtownabbey | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Newtownabbey is the larger city
— approximately 2.2x 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, Newtownabbey has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Newtownabbey | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 88,000 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Newtownabbey
Advantages
Housing affordability remains significantly better than central Belfast and major British cities.
Excellent transport links via rail, bus network, and the M2 motorway provide fast access to Belfast.
Proximity to Belfast Lough and scenic natural attractions like Cave Hill offers great outdoor recreation.
Strong local commercial hubs including retail parks and the Abbey Centre provide convenient shopping.
Reputable educational infrastructure including local schools and proximity to university facilities.
Drawbacks
High reliance on private vehicles for navigating certain suburban pockets outside major transit corridors.
Peak traffic congestion along the M2 corridor during morning and evening commutes.
Limited standalone nightlife and entertainment options within the town itself, requiring trips to Belfast.
Variable public transit frequency in specific outlying residential townlands.
Local property market subject to wider regional economic pressures and inflation.
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.
Newtownabbey
#2Northern Ireland, UK
66.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$38,000
Cost Index
78
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
186/yr
Avg Temp
50.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
75
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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