City Comparison
Ohai vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Ohai scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Ohai
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ohai is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
62% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Ohai's average rent is
83% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Ohai | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $250 | $1,450 | -83% |
| Groceries | $350 | $450 | -22% |
| Utilities | $150 | $400 | -63% |
| Transport | $180 | $120 | +50% |
| Healthcare | $50 | $150 | -67% |
| Monthly Total | $980 | $2,570 | -62% |
| Cost Index | 70 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 41% 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 Ohai is estimated at
$32,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Ohai | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $38,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $32,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 54,286 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $40,000 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Ohai runs warmer on average — a 48.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Ohai comes out ahead with 179 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Ohai sees 11.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Ohai | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 48.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 48.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 46.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 71.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 11.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 179 | |
| Humidity | 80.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
8,500 minutes (142 hours) per year compared to Ohai.
Grants Pass scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Ohai leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Ohai | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 35 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 10.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 15.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Grants Pass is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Ohai has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Ohai | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 300 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 46.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Ohai
Advantages
Exceptionally low housing costs and property purchase prices compared to the New Zealand national average per 2024 REINZ data.
A peaceful, low-stress rural environment with virtually nonexistent urban crime rates.
Proximity to the Takitimu Mountains offering excellent access to Southland hunting, fishing, and hiking.
Strong community spirit and tight-knit neighborhood identity typical of rural Southland towns.
Clean air and wide-open landscapes providing an authentic off-the-beaten-path New Zealand lifestyle.
Drawbacks
Very limited local employment opportunities requiring significant commutes for most professional work.
Absence of local healthcare facilities, requiring travel to larger centers for medical needs per 2024 health district reports.
Scarcity of local retail, dining, and commercial entertainment amenities within the immediate township.
High reliance on personal motor vehicles due to the complete lack of robust public transit options.
Declining and aging population trends limiting local economic diversification and youth services.
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.
Ohai
#2Southland, New Zealand
70.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$250
Avg Salary
$38,000
Cost Index
70
Commute
35 min
Transit Score
10.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
179/yr
Avg Temp
48.90°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
65
Business
50
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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