Performance
Score Breakdown
Tauranga
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Tauranga is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
48% lower compared to Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Tauranga's average rent is
54% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Tauranga | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $668 | $1,450 | -54% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $111 | $400 | -72% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $150 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,329 | $2,570 | -48% |
| Cost Index | 70 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Tauranga | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $58,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Tauranga | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Tauranga.
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 | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/10 | 27.0/10 |
| Walkability | 45.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tauranga is the larger city
— approximately 4.2x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Tauranga is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Tauranga has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Tauranga | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,633 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.20% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 39.4 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.08% | 5.60% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
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.
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.
Tauranga
#2Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$668
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
70
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
45.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.20%
Unemployment
5.08%
Livability
74
Business
68
Grants Pass
#68Oregon, 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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