City Comparison
Butuan vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Butuan scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Butuan
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Weather
Climate Comparison
Butuan runs warmer on average — a 81.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Butuan comes out ahead with 94 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Butuan sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Butuan | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 81.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 90.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 74.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 86.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 94 | |
| Humidity | 85.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Butuan has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
9,000 minutes (150 hours) per year compared to Grants Pass.
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 | Butuan | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | — | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | — | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Butuan is the larger city
— approximately 9.6x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Grants Pass is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Butuan has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Butuan | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 385,530 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.83% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 40.8 | |
| Unemployment | 2.24% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Butuan
Advantages
Butuan City experienced a significant drop in poverty incidence, falling from 22.6% in 2021 to 12.2% in 2023.
The Caraga Region, with Butuan as its center, was the second fastest-growing economy in the Philippines in both 2024 (6.9% growth) and 2025 (5.7% growth).
The city is actively strengthening its healthcare system, expanding to seven main health centers by September 2026, with plans for more, and partnering with private hospitals.
Butuan boasts a rich historical and cultural heritage, recognized as the "Historic City of the Philippines" due to discoveries like the ancient Balangay boats.
The city offers a diverse and vibrant culinary scene, featuring unique Mindanaoan delicacies, fresh seafood, and various international cuisines.
Drawbacks
Traffic congestion is a notable problem in Butuan City, particularly during rush hours.
Specific, recent (2024 or later) data for key urban metrics such as median household income, average rent, and unemployment rate for Butuan City is not publicly available.
The public transportation system has been undergoing a rationalization process (2022-2025), indicating past inefficiencies and ongoing adjustments.
Butuan City is not primarily known for pristine beaches, requiring travel to other locations for beach-focused activities.
Historically, the city's economy was heavily reliant on the logging industry, which experienced a decline in the early 1980s, necessitating ongoing economic diversification.
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.
Butuan
#10Mindanao, Philippines
73.4 / 100 overall
Commute
min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
94/yr
Avg Temp
81.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.83%
Unemployment
2.24%
Livability
68
Business
70
Grants Pass
#584Oregon, USA
45.2 / 100 overall
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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