Performance
Score Breakdown
Wanaka
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Wanaka is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
33% lower compared to Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Wanaka's average rent is
30% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Wanaka | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,021 | $1,450 | -30% |
| Groceries | $323 | $450 | -28% |
| Utilities | $103 | $400 | -74% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,717 | $2,570 | -33% |
| Cost Index | 138 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 96% 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 Wanaka is estimated at
$1,864 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Wanaka | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $2,570 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $1,864 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 1,862 idx | 57,438 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Wanaka | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Wanaka.
Grants Pass scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Grants Pass leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Wanaka | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 27.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Wanaka.
From a growth perspective, Wanaka is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Wanaka has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Wanaka | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 14,261 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 4.22% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.08% | 5.60% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Wanaka
Advantages
Wanaka is one of the fastest-growing towns in New Zealand, indicating strong economic and population growth.
The town offers a high quality of life with abundant outdoor activities in both summer and winter seasons.
A new $300 million hospital with a 24-hour emergency department has been approved and is under development, significantly improving healthcare access.
Wanaka boasts a high safety index of 89, making it a very secure place to live.
The median after-tax salary in Wanaka is sufficient to cover living expenses for nearly three months.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Wanaka is very high, particularly for housing.
Average house values are substantial, making homeownership a significant financial commitment.
Rental prices are high, with a median weekly rent of $950 NZD (approximately $557 USD) as of June 2026.
Public transportation options are limited, leading to a medium to high car dependency.
While a new hospital is planned, the current healthcare infrastructure may be perceived as needing improvement to keep pace with population growth.
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.
Wanaka
#1Otago, New Zealand
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,021
Avg Salary
$2,570
Cost Index
138
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
4.22%
Unemployment
5.08%
Livability
74
Business
68
Grants Pass
#78Oregon, 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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