City Comparison
Tauranga vs Wells
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Tauranga scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Tauranga
Wells
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Tauranga is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
13% lower than in Wells.
Housing costs are a major driver: Tauranga's average rent is
15% higher than Wells's.
| Metric | Tauranga | Wells | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $668 | $580 | +15% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $111 | $180 | -38% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,329 | $1,530 | -13% |
| Cost Index | 70 | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Wells offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Tauranga | Wells |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $55,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Tauranga | Wells |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Tauranga has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Wells.
Wells 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 | Wells |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 37 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 36.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 36.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tauranga is the larger city
— approximately 125.5x the population of Wells.
From a growth perspective, Tauranga is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Wells has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Tauranga | Wells |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,633 | 1,352 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.20% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 39.4 | 36.7 |
| Unemployment | 5.08% | 4.10% |
| 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.
Wells
Advantages
Wells offers a cost of living that is 7% lower than the Nevada average and 4% lower than the national average, with housing costs being 18% lower than the national average.
The violent crime rate in Wells is 0.9 per 1,000 residents, which is 75% below the national average.
The median household income in Wells saw a significant increase of 41.5% from 2023 to 2024, reaching $107,454.
Wells is considered a buyer's market, indicating a favorable environment for those looking to purchase a home.
The town provides a sparse suburban feel with a strong sense of community, appealing to those seeking a quieter lifestyle.
Drawbacks
Public transit is not widely available, and the city has low walkability and transit scores, making car ownership essential.
The poverty rate in Wells is 21.3%, which is higher than the national average of 12.5%.
Specific data on the number of hospitals and comprehensive healthcare services in Wells is limited, potentially requiring travel to larger cities for specialized care.
While home prices have seen increases, some reports indicate a recent decrease in median property value.
The town's economy is concentrated in a few key industries, which could lead to vulnerability to sector-specific downturns.
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
Wells
#113Nevada, USA
66.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$580
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
37 min
Transit Score
36.0/100
Walkability
36.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
74
Business
68
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