City Comparison
Invercargill vs Folsom
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
California, USA
View Folsom profile
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Invercargill scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Invercargill
Folsom
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Invercargill | Folsom | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,980 | $0 | 0% |
| Groceries | $400 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $196 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $90 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,916 | $0 | 0% |
| Cost Index | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Invercargill offers similar average salaries.
| Metric | Invercargill | Folsom |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $55,050 | $0 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $0 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Invercargill runs warmer on average — a 50.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Invercargill comes out ahead with 181 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Invercargill sees 8.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Invercargill | Folsom |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 50.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 48.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 57.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 8.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 181 | |
| Humidity | 84.60% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Folsom has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
14,000 minutes (233 hours) per year compared to Invercargill.
Invercargill scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Invercargill leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Invercargill | Folsom |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Invercargill is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Invercargill is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Folsom has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Invercargill | Folsom |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,600 | 0 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | — |
| Median Age | 40.0 | |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | % |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Invercargill
Advantages
Invercargill is one of New Zealand's most affordable cities, with significantly lower living costs and housing prices compared to major centers.
The city offers excellent access to natural beauty, including Fiordland, The Catlins, and Stewart Island, making it ideal for outdoor enthusiasts.
Invercargill boasts strong community infrastructure, including modern sporting facilities like a stadium, velodrome, and aquatic center.
The housing market is accessible for first-home buyers, with a median rent of NZD 495 per week and a median property price of NZD 547,087 as of August 2026.
The city has a lower crime rate compared to the national average, contributing to a safe living environment.
Drawbacks
The weather in Invercargill is known for being cool and often rainy, with winters that can get quite cold.
Employment opportunities can be more limited compared to larger New Zealand cities, with a strong reliance on primary industries.
The nightlife and entertainment options are generally quieter than in larger urban centers.
Invercargill can feel geographically isolated from other major cities in New Zealand, requiring longer travel times.
While generally safe, Invercargill Central has a crime rate of 545.307 crimes per thousand residents, with theft being the most common offense.
Folsom
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Invercargill
#46Southland, New Zealand
59.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,980
Avg Salary
$55,050
Cost Index
95
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
181/yr
Avg Temp
50.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
74
Business
68
Folsom
California, USA
0.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
Commute
min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
%
Livability
0
Business
0
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