Performance
Score Breakdown
Thames
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grants Pass is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
4% higher compared to Thames.
Housing costs are a major driver: Thames's average rent is
14% higher than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Thames | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,656 | $1,450 | +14% |
| Groceries | $350 | $450 | -22% |
| Utilities | $325 | $400 | -19% |
| Transport | $90 | $120 | -25% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $2,671 | $2,570 | +4% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 12% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Thames delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Thames is estimated at
$55,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Thames | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $56,880 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,874 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $41,200 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Thames | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Thames has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
9,000 minutes (150 hours) per year compared to Grants Pass.
Thames scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Thames leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Thames | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 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
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Thames.
From a growth perspective, Grants Pass is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Thames has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Thames | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,230 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 54.9 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 5.60% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Thames
Advantages
Affordable cost of living compared to major New Zealand cities.
Rich gold mining history and a vibrant arts community.
Relatively safe environment with a lower crime rate than the national average.
Scenic location at the southwestern end of the Coromandel Peninsula.
Moderate car dependency and decent transit/walkability scores.
Drawbacks
Rising unemployment rate, reaching a decade-high in the Thames-Coromandel District.
High average house prices despite recent falls, making homeownership challenging.
Higher median age compared to the national average, potentially indicating an aging population.
Economic conditions can be challenging, with some industries declining.
Crime rate in the wider district has seen an increase.
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.
Thames
#1Waikato, New Zealand
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,656
Avg Salary
$56,880
Cost Index
95
Commute
min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.50%
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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