City Comparison
Keningau vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Keningau scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Keningau
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Keningau is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
83% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Keningau's average rent is
86% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Keningau | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $196 | $1,450 | -86% |
| Groceries | $147 | $450 | -67% |
| Utilities | $49 | $400 | -88% |
| Transport | $37 | $120 | -69% |
| Healthcare | $17 | $150 | -89% |
| Monthly Total | $446 | $2,570 | -83% |
| Cost Index | 30 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 91% 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 Keningau is estimated at
$4,500 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Keningau | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $5,880 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $4,500 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 19,600 idx | 57,438 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Keningau runs warmer on average — a 79°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Keningau comes out ahead with 130 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Keningau sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Keningau | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 79.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 71.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 100.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 130 | |
| Humidity | 80.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Keningau.
Keningau scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Keningau leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Keningau | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 50.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 60.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Keningau is the larger city
— approximately 4x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Keningau is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Keningau | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 162,106 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.26% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 40.8 | |
| Unemployment | 5.60% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Keningau
Advantages
Keningau has a government hospital (Hospital Keningau) providing specialist services, ensuring access to comprehensive medical care.
The town offers accessible primary care through government clinics like Klinik Kesihatan UTC Keningau and private polyclinics.
Keningau is characterized by its rich ethnic diversity, with Dusuns, Muruts, and Lundayehs as major groups, fostering a vibrant cultural environment.
The cost of living in Keningau is considerably lower than in many global cities, making it highly affordable.
The surrounding natural environment, including proximity to Crocker Range National Park, offers opportunities for outdoor activities and a connection to nature.
Drawbacks
Traffic congestion in Keningau, particularly in main town areas and entry routes, is worsening, causing daily travel disruptions.
Sabah, including Keningau, faces a high unemployment rate of 5.6% as of June 2026, which is the highest among Malaysian states.
The median monthly wage in Sabah (RM2,000 or ~USD 490 in Q3 2025) is 17% below the national average, indicating lower earning potential.
Public transportation options within Keningau are limited, primarily relying on minibuses and taxis, leading to high car dependency.
The town's infrastructure and city planning have been noted as insufficient to cope with the growing number of vehicles, exacerbating traffic issues.
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.
Keningau
#55Sabah, Malaysia
74.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$196
Avg Salary
$5,880
Cost Index
30
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
130/yr
Avg Temp
79.00°F
Pop. Growth
1.26%
Unemployment
5.60%
Livability
70
Business
62
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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