Performance
Score Breakdown
Tauranga
Moscow
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Tauranga is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
1% lower compared to Moscow.
Housing costs are a major driver: Tauranga's average rent is
50% lower than Moscow's.
| Metric | Tauranga | Moscow | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $668 | $1,338 | -50% |
| Groceries | $400 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $111 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $150 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,329 | $1,338 | -1% |
| Cost Index | 70 | 111 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Moscow offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Tauranga | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $76,000 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $84,360 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Tauranga | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Moscow has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to Tauranga.
Moscow scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Moscow leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Tauranga | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 14 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 45.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tauranga is the larger city
— approximately 6.5x the population of Moscow.
From a growth perspective, Tauranga is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Moscow has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Tauranga | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,633 | 26,286 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.20% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 39.4 | 25.7 |
| Unemployment | 5.08% | 3.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Tauranga
Advantages
Tauranga's population is growing rapidly, with a 2.2% annual increase to 2026, indicating strong appeal and development.
The city boasts a very high Climate Index of 98.04, offering warm summers and mild winters ideal for outdoor activities.
Tauranga has a high Quality of Life Index of 186.37, reflecting a desirable lifestyle with extensive outdoor access and a relaxed coastal pace.
The Port of Tauranga is New Zealand's largest, making the city a significant hub for international trade and a strong export economy, particularly in horticulture.
The cost of living index is moderate at 66.55 (relative to NYC), suggesting it is more affordable than many major global cities.
Drawbacks
Housing affordability is a pressure point, with average home values over $1 million NZD as of March 2026.
Public transportation is not yet optimized, making private vehicle ownership often essential for commuting.
The city has fewer career opportunities and limited higher education options compared to larger metropolitan centers.
Tauranga experiences congested port traffic, which can impact local transportation and infrastructure.
Specific monthly grocery costs for Tauranga are difficult to ascertain for 2024+, with available data appearing lower than typical estimates.
Moscow
Advantages
High walkability score of 48, making many errands accessible on foot.
Short average commute time of 14.3 minutes, significantly below the national average.
Strong presence of the University of Idaho contributes to a vibrant cultural scene and job market.
Crime rates have seen a significant decrease, with violent crime rates well below the national average.
Rental prices are relatively affordable compared to national averages, despite a higher cost of living than the Idaho average.
Drawbacks
Median household income ($57,022) is below the national average.
Cost of living is 11% higher than the national average.
Limited public transit options contribute to a medium car dependency.
Job growth rate of 0.167% is modest.
Median age of 25.7 is significantly younger than the national average, which may not appeal to all demographics.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Tauranga
#4Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$668
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
70
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
45.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.20%
Unemployment
5.08%
Livability
74
Business
68
Moscow
#16Idaho, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,338
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
111
Commute
14 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
48.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
87
Business
65
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