City Comparison
Marsa Alam vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Marsa Alam scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Marsa Alam
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Marsa Alam is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
61% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Marsa Alam's average rent is
69% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Marsa Alam | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $450 | $1,450 | -69% |
| Groceries | $250 | $450 | -44% |
| Utilities | $90 | $400 | -78% |
| Transport | $80 | $120 | -33% |
| Healthcare | $120 | $150 | -20% |
| Monthly Total | $990 | $2,570 | -61% |
| Cost Index | 35 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 93% 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 Marsa Alam is estimated at
$3,600 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Marsa Alam | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $4,200 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $3,600 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 12,000 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $5,500 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Marsa Alam runs warmer on average — a 80.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Marsa Alam comes out ahead with 363 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Marsa Alam sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Marsa Alam | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 80.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 96.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 62.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 1.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 363 | |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Marsa Alam scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Marsa Alam leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Marsa Alam | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 50.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Marsa Alam.
From a growth perspective, Marsa Alam is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Grants Pass has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Marsa Alam | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 15,000 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 3.20% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 32.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 6.50% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Marsa Alam
Advantages
Year-round warm climate with an average temperature of 80.1°F and 363 sunny days per year per Open-Meteo data.
Proximity to world-class Red Sea coral reefs, diving sites, and pristine untouched beaches.
Lower cost of living and affordable housing compared to major Western countries and capital cities.
Very high safety profile with low crime rates and a secure community environment.
Growing popularity as an eco-tourism hub, offering unique opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts and marine professionals.
Drawbacks
Extreme summer high temperatures reaching up to 96.9°F per climate records.
Extremely arid climate with only 1.1 inches of annual rainfall, limiting local agriculture and green spaces.
Limited public transportation infrastructure, increasing reliance on private vehicles and taxis.
Heavy dependence on the tourism industry can lead to seasonal economic fluctuations.
Specialized or advanced healthcare services require travel outside the city to larger hubs like Hurghada or Cairo.
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.
Marsa Alam
#3Suez, Egypt
85.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$450
Avg Salary
$4,200
Cost Index
35
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
363/yr
Avg Temp
80.10°F
Pop. Growth
3.20%
Unemployment
6.50%
Livability
76
Business
65
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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