City Comparison
Opunake vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Opunake scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Opunake
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Opunake is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
23% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Opunake's average rent is
24% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Opunake | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $1,450 | -24% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $160 | $400 | -60% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $180 | $150 | +20% |
| Monthly Total | $1,990 | $2,570 | -23% |
| 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 Opunake is estimated at
$42,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Opunake | 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
Opunake runs warmer on average — a 58.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Opunake comes out ahead with 191 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Opunake sees 0.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Opunake | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 58.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 56.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 58.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 66.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 191 | |
| Humidity | 78.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Opunake scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Opunake leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Opunake | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 72.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 22.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Grants Pass is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Opunake has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Opunake | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,450 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 44.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Opunake
Advantages
Median home purchase prices remain significantly more affordable than New Zealand's major urban centers per Stats NZ data
Exceptional air quality and proximity to both pristine surf beaches and Egmont National Park
Strong community safety with near-zero violent crime rates reported by New Zealand Police
Relaxed, small-town coastal lifestyle with minimal traffic congestion and noise pollution
Growing remote-work infrastructure allowing professionals to enjoy rural living with global connectivity
Drawbacks
Limited public transportation network requires heavy reliance on personal vehicle ownership
Distance from major metropolitan hubs means specialized medical and retail services require travel to New Plymouth
High annual rainfall of 66.7 inches can lead to damp winter months and wet outdoor conditions
Limited local employment variety outside of agriculture, tourism, and essential retail
Narrower range of secondary and tertiary educational institutions directly within town limits
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.
Opunake
#19New Plymouth, New Zealand
66.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
72.0/100
Sunny Days
191/yr
Avg Temp
58.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
79
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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