City Comparison
Invercargill vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Invercargill scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Invercargill
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grants Pass is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Invercargill.
Housing costs are a major driver: Invercargill's average rent is
37% higher than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Invercargill | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,980 | $1,450 | +37% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $196 | $400 | -51% |
| Transport | $90 | $120 | -25% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $2,916 | $2,570 | +13% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 14% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Invercargill delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Invercargill is estimated at
$55,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Invercargill | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $55,050 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,947 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $60,982 | $59,646 |
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 | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 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 | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Invercargill is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Grants Pass is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Invercargill has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Invercargill | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,600 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 5.60% |
| 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.
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.
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
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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