City Comparison
Kuantan vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Kuantan scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Kuantan
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Kuantan is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
76% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Kuantan's average rent is
84% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Kuantan | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $235 | $1,450 | -84% |
| Groceries | $240 | $450 | -47% |
| Utilities | $60 | $400 | -85% |
| Transport | $30 | $120 | -75% |
| Healthcare | $50 | $150 | -67% |
| Monthly Total | $615 | $2,570 | -76% |
| Cost Index | 45 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 82% 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 Kuantan is estimated at
$8,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Kuantan | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $11,796 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $8,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 26,213 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $23,929 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Kuantan runs warmer on average — a 80.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Kuantan comes out ahead with 94 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Kuantan sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Kuantan | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 80.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 88.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 73.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 105.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 94 | |
| Humidity | 84.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Kuantan.
Kuantan scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Kuantan leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Kuantan | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 50.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Kuantan is the larger city
— approximately 14.6x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Kuantan is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Kuantan has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Kuantan | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 583,223 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.04% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 32.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 2.00% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Kuantan
Advantages
Affordable cost of living compared to major Malaysian cities and international standards.
Strong industrial growth and job creation, particularly in manufacturing, petrochemicals, and logistics due to MCKIP and Kuantan Port.
Improving infrastructure with projects like the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) enhancing connectivity.
Relatively low unemployment rate in Pahang, recorded at 1.9% in Q1 2026.
Access to natural attractions like beaches and waterfalls, contributing to tourism and quality of life.
Drawbacks
Limited public transportation network and high car dependency, leading to potential traffic congestion.
High humidity levels experienced throughout most of the year.
Risk of heavy flooding during the monsoon season, typically from October to February.
English fluency can be inconsistent outside of business contexts, potentially posing a language barrier for some expatriates.
Bureaucracy for long-stay visas and other administrative processes can be slow and document-heavy.
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.
Kuantan
#2Pahang, Malaysia
85.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$235
Avg Salary
$11,796
Cost Index
45
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
94/yr
Avg Temp
80.70°F
Pop. Growth
1.04%
Unemployment
2.00%
Livability
70
Business
75
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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