Performance
Score Breakdown
Tauranga
Owasso
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Tauranga is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
39% lower compared to Owasso.
Housing costs are a major driver: Tauranga's average rent is
45% lower than Owasso's.
| Metric | Tauranga | Owasso | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $668 | $1,214 | -45% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $111 | $200 | -45% |
| Transport | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $150 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,329 | $2,164 | -39% |
| Cost Index | 70 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Owasso offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Tauranga | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $41,807 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $48,560 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Tauranga | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Owasso has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 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 | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 45.0/10 | 28.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tauranga is the larger city
— approximately 3.8x the population of Owasso.
From a growth perspective, Owasso is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Owasso has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Tauranga | Owasso |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,633 | 44,211 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.20% | 2.54% |
| Median Age | 39.4 | 34.0 |
| Unemployment | 5.08% | 4.30% |
| 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.
Owasso
Advantages
Owasso consistently ranks as one of the safest cities in Oklahoma, with low violent and property crime rates.
The city offers a high quality of life with a livability score of 78/100 and a strong sense of community.
Owasso's cost of living is approximately 6% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to live.
The local economy is growing, with a job growth rate of 3.3% in 2024, outperforming state and metro averages.
Owasso boasts highly-rated public schools, making it an attractive location for families.
Drawbacks
The city is highly car-dependent, with a low walkability score of 28 and limited public transportation options.
Rapid growth has led to some traffic congestion and construction challenges that are not yet fully accommodated.
Some residents express a desire for more diversity within the community.
Specific data on new business growth rates is not readily available.
Detailed cost breakdowns for utilities, food, and healthcare services are not consistently available for Owasso specifically.
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
Owasso
#5Oklahoma, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,214
Avg Salary
$41,807
Cost Index
94
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
28.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.54%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
78
Business
73
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