City Comparison
Tauranga vs Fallon
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Tauranga scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Tauranga
Fallon
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Tauranga is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
50% lower than in Fallon.
Housing costs are a major driver: Tauranga's average rent is
51% lower than Fallon's.
| Metric | Tauranga | Fallon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $668 | $1,353 | -51% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $111 | $200 | -45% |
| Transport | $150 | $450 | -67% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,329 | $2,653 | -50% |
| Cost Index | 70 | 102 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fallon offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Tauranga | Fallon |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $54,120 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Fallon runs warmer on average — a 57.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Fallon comes out ahead with 321 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Fallon sees 9.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Tauranga | Fallon |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 57.20°F |
| Summer High | °F | 92.40°F |
| Winter Low | °F | 27.50°F |
| Rainfall | in | 6.90 in |
| Snowfall | in | 9.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 321 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 42.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Tauranga scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Tauranga leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Tauranga | Fallon |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tauranga is the larger city
— approximately 17.6x the population of Fallon.
From a growth perspective, Tauranga is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Fallon has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Tauranga | Fallon |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,633 | 9,643 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.20% | 0.76% |
| Median Age | 39.4 | 35.5 |
| Unemployment | 5.08% | 4.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Tauranga
Advantages
Tauranga's population is growing rapidly, with a 2.2% annual increase to 2026, indicating strong appeal and development.
The city boasts a very high Climate Index of 98.04, offering warm summers and mild winters ideal for outdoor activities.
Tauranga has a high Quality of Life Index of 186.37, reflecting a desirable lifestyle with extensive outdoor access and a relaxed coastal pace.
The Port of Tauranga is New Zealand's largest, making the city a significant hub for international trade and a strong export economy, particularly in horticulture.
The cost of living index is moderate at 66.55 (relative to NYC), suggesting it is more affordable than many major global cities.
Drawbacks
Housing affordability is a pressure point, with average home values over $1 million NZD as of March 2026.
Public transportation is not yet optimized, making private vehicle ownership often essential for commuting.
The city has fewer career opportunities and limited higher education options compared to larger metropolitan centers.
Tauranga experiences congested port traffic, which can impact local transportation and infrastructure.
Specific monthly grocery costs for Tauranga are difficult to ascertain for 2024+, with available data appearing lower than typical estimates.
Fallon
Advantages
Fallon's crime rates are significantly lower than the national average, with total crime 36% lower, violent crime 42.3% lower, and property crime 34.7% lower in 2024.
The average rent in Fallon is $1,353 per month as of October 2026, which is generally more affordable than many other areas in Nevada.
The city enjoys approximately 321 sunny days per year, providing ample opportunities for outdoor activities.
Fallon offers a small-town community feel with a slower pace of life, appealing to those seeking a close-knit environment.
Housing costs in Fallon are considerably lower than in larger Northern Nevada cities like Reno, making homeownership more accessible.
Drawbacks
Fallon's employment experienced a decline of -1.74% from 2023 to 2024, indicating a challenging job growth environment.
The city is highly car-dependent, with 75.8% of workers driving alone to work in 2024, and limited public transit options.
Despite some affordable housing, the overall cost of living in Fallon is slightly higher than the national average, with a cost index of 102 in 2026.
Healthcare access is primarily centered around one 25-bed hospital, which may limit specialized medical services locally.
Dining and entertainment options are more limited compared to larger metropolitan areas, which might not appeal to everyone.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Tauranga
#16Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
66.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$668
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
70
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.20%
Unemployment
5.08%
Livability
74
Business
68
Fallon
#343Nevada, USA
60.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,353
Avg Salary
$55,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
30.0/100
Sunny Days
321/yr
Avg Temp
57.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.76%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
70
Business
55
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