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Manila vs Grants Pass

Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.

Luzon, Philippines
View Manila profile
#6 in Philippines
77
Overall Score
VS
Oregon, USA
View Grants Pass profile
#584 in USA
45
Overall Score
Manila scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Manila
Grants Pass
Livability
67
70
Affordability
85
65
Business
72
60
Growth
74
62

Cost of Living

Manila is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about 58% lower than in Grants Pass. Housing costs are a major driver: Manila's average rent is 62% lower than Grants Pass's.
MetricManilaGrants PassDiff
Average Rent
$550$1,450-62%
Groceries
$250$450-44%
Utilities
$120$400-70%
Transport
$60$120-50%
Healthcare
$100$150-33%
Monthly Total
$1,080$2,570-58%
Cost Index
38112out of 100

Salary & Income

Grants Pass offers 85% 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 Manila is estimated at $8,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
MetricManilaGrants Pass
Average Salary
$9,600$64,331
Salary Needed
$8,000$58,000
Purchasing Power
25,263 idx57,438 idx
Household Income
$12,000$59,646

Climate Comparison

Manila runs warmer on average — a 82.8°F difference year-round. For sunshine, Manila comes out ahead with 129 more sunny days per year, which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle. Winter severity differs too — Manila sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
MetricManilaGrants Pass
Avg Temp
82.80°F°F
Summer High
86.00°F°F
Winter Low
75.60°F°F
Rainfall
93.80 in in
Snowfall
0.00 in in
Sunny Days
129
Humidity
78.00%74.00%

Commute & Transport

Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly 13,500 minutes (225 hours) per year compared to Manila. Manila scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living. For walkability, Manila leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
MetricManilaGrants Pass
Commute Time
45 min18 min
Transit Score
42.0/10027.0/100
Walkability
48.0/10040.0/100
Traffic Index
82.00
Car Dependency
MediumHigh

Economy & Demographics

Manila is the larger city — approximately 46.1x the population of Grants Pass. From a growth perspective, Manila is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services. On the employment side, Manila has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
MetricManilaGrants Pass
Population
1,846,51340,051
Pop. Growth
1.50%0.90%
Median Age
27.540.8
Unemployment
4.80%5.60%
GDP
——

Pros & Cons

Manila
Advantages
English proficiency is exceptionally high, making it one of the easiest Asian cities for English-speaking expats to navigate.
Thriving culinary and cafe culture offering diverse options from local street food to high-end international dining.
Lower overall cost of living compared to Western countries, stretching disposable income further.
Strategic hub in Southeast Asia with extensive flight connections across the region.
World-class private healthcare facilities offering advanced medical treatments at competitive prices.
Drawbacks
Severe traffic congestion heavily impacts daily commuting times and overall urban mobility.
Vulnerability to seasonal typhoons, monsoon flooding, and climate-related weather disruptions.
High density and rapid urbanization contribute to urban heat island effects and air quality challenges.
Wide income inequality is visible between affluent business districts and low-income residential areas.
Bureaucratic red tape can complicate administrative processes for business registration and residency.
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.

Dive Deeper

Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.

Manila
#6
Luzon, Philippines
77.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$550
Avg Salary
$9,600
Cost Index
38
Commute
45 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
129/yr
Avg Temp
82.80°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
67
Business
72
View Full Profile
Grants Pass
#584
Oregon, 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
View Full Profile

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