City Comparison
Te Awamutu vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Te Awamutu scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Te Awamutu
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Te Awamutu is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
26% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Te Awamutu's average rent is
31% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Te Awamutu | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,000 | $1,450 | -31% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $238 | $400 | -41% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $100 | $150 | -33% |
| Monthly Total | $1,908 | $2,570 | -26% |
| Cost Index | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Te Awamutu | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $58,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Te Awamutu runs warmer on average — a 57.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Te Awamutu comes out ahead with 229 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Te Awamutu sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Te Awamutu | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 57.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 56.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 59.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 229 | |
| Humidity | % | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Te Awamutu has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
9,000 minutes (150 hours) per year compared to Grants Pass.
Te Awamutu scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Te Awamutu leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Te Awamutu | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 70.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Te Awamutu.
From a growth perspective, Te Awamutu is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Te Awamutu has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Te Awamutu | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 14,253 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.08% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Te Awamutu
Advantages
Te Awamutu is known as the "Rose Town of New Zealand" and features elaborate rose gardens, a key point of local pride.
The town offers a balance of small-town warmth, scenic beauty, and modern conveniences.
Te Awamutu's town center is compact and highly walkable, with many key places accessible on foot.
The housing market shows long-term stability with a mix of owner-occupiers and a growing rental market.
The town provides access to a range of local healthcare services, including urgent care and various specialists.
Drawbacks
Public transportation in Te Awamutu is somewhat limited, primarily connecting to Hamilton rather than offering extensive local transit.
Te Awamutu does not have a hospital providing a full range of specialist services, requiring residents to travel to Hamilton for more advanced medical needs.
A 2026 report highlighted barriers for residents in accessing specialist care and a need for stronger connections between local health services.
The cost of eating out in Te Awamutu can be similar to or slightly higher than in the USA, Australia, and the UK.
While the town is walkable, getting around surrounding areas is easiest by private car, indicating a degree of car dependency.
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.
Te Awamutu
#11Waikato, New Zealand
67.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,000
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
Commute
min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
70.0/100
Sunny Days
229/yr
Avg Temp
57.90°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
5.08%
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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