City Comparison
Tawa vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Tawa scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Tawa
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Tawa | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,450 | +14% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $160 | $400 | -60% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Monthly Total | $2,560 | $2,570 | -0% |
| Cost Index | 94 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 19% 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 Tawa is estimated at
$46,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Tawa | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $46,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 55,319 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $58,000 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Tawa runs warmer on average — a 55.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Tawa comes out ahead with 214 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Tawa sees 0.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Tawa | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 53.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 55.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 52.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 214 | |
| Humidity | 78.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Tawa.
Tawa scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Tawa leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Tawa | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 68.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 64.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Tawa.
From a growth perspective, Tawa is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Tawa has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Tawa | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,800 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Tawa
Advantages
Commuter rail stations (Tawa and Linden) provide a direct sub-20 minute train ride into central Wellington
High-performing local primary and secondary schools make it a top choice for families
Extensive green spaces, parks, and recreational trails including the Porirua Stream pathways
Lower median property purchase prices compared to central Wellington city suburbs
Strong community engagement with active local sports clubs, libraries, and civic groups
Drawbacks
State Highway 1 and local arterial roads experience notable commuter traffic congestion during peak hours
Limited nightlife and entertainment options within the suburb proper, requiring travel to Wellington
Housing affordability remains a challenge for first-time home buyers due to high national property price baselines
Topography featuring surrounding hills can limit cycling accessibility for certain neighborhoods
Variable public bus feeder routes can make cross-suburb non-rail transit less direct
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.
Tawa
#27Wellington, New Zealand
64.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
94
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
68.0/100
Walkability
64.0/100
Sunny Days
214/yr
Avg Temp
55.60°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
79
Business
67
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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