Performance
Score Breakdown
New Plymouth
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
New Plymouth is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
77% lower compared to Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: New Plymouth's average rent is
60% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | New Plymouth | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $580 | $1,450 | -60% |
| Groceries | $0 | $450 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $400 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $120 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $150 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $580 | $2,570 | -77% |
| Cost Index | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | New Plymouth | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $58,000 |
| Household Income | $39,200 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | New Plymouth | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 83.30% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to New Plymouth.
New Plymouth scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, New Plymouth leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | New Plymouth | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 27.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
New Plymouth is the larger city
— approximately 2.2x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, New Plymouth is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, New Plymouth has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | New Plymouth | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 90,100 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.41% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.08% | 5.60% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
New Plymouth
Advantages
Recognized for its beauty and liveability, winning awards for being New Zealand's most beautiful small city and most liveable city in its population category.
Offers a balanced lifestyle with a mix of urban amenities and easy access to outdoor recreation, including coastal landscapes and Mount Taranaki.
Strong emphasis on walking and cycling infrastructure, making it a model community for active transport.
Robust economy driven by diverse sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, and the oil and gas industry.
Relatively affordable cost of living compared to other major New Zealand cities.
Drawbacks
Winters are wet and cold, and the city is described as windy and partly cloudy year-round.
While generally safe, like any city, crime can be a concern in certain areas.
The median age is slightly above the national average, suggesting an aging population.
Reliance on specific industries like dairy and oil/gas can make the economy susceptible to commodity price fluctuations.
Public transport options may be less developed compared to larger metropolitan areas.
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.
New Plymouth
#1New Plymouth, New Zealand
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$580
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.41%
Unemployment
5.08%
Livability
74
Business
68
Grants Pass
#92Oregon, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$64,331
Cost Index
112
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
27.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
5.60%
Livability
70
Business
60
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