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Papar vs Grants Pass

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

Sabah, Malaysia
View Papar profile
#33 in Malaysia
78
Overall Score
VS
Oregon, USA
View Grants Pass profile
#584 in USA
45
Overall Score
Papar scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Papar
Grants Pass
Livability
73
70
Affordability
82
65
Business
62
60
Growth
65
62

Cost of Living

Papar is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about 65% lower than in Grants Pass. Housing costs are a major driver: Papar's average rent is 69% lower than Grants Pass's.
MetricPaparGrants PassDiff
Average Rent
$450$1,450-69%
Groceries
$250$450-44%
Utilities
$70$400-83%
Transport
$80$120-33%
Healthcare
$50$150-67%
Monthly Total
$900$2,570-65%
Cost Index
42112out 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 Papar is estimated at $8,500 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
MetricPaparGrants Pass
Average Salary
$9,600$64,331
Salary Needed
$8,500$58,000
Purchasing Power
22,857 idx57,438 idx
Household Income
$12,000$59,646

Climate Comparison

Papar runs warmer on average — a 80.8°F difference year-round. For sunshine, Papar comes out ahead with 133 more sunny days per year, which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle. Winter severity differs too — Papar sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
MetricPaparGrants Pass
Avg Temp
80.80°F°F
Summer High
88.00°F°F
Winter Low
74.70°F°F
Rainfall
104.70 in in
Snowfall
0.00 in in
Sunny Days
133
Humidity
82.00%74.00%

Commute & Transport

Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly 13,500 minutes (225 hours) per year compared to Papar. Papar scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living. For walkability, Papar leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
MetricPaparGrants Pass
Commute Time
45 min18 min
Transit Score
40.0/10027.0/100
Walkability
50.0/10040.0/100
Traffic Index
48.00
Car Dependency
HighHigh

Economy & Demographics

Papar is the larger city — approximately 3.6x the population of Grants Pass. From a growth perspective, Papar is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services. On the employment side, Papar has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
MetricPaparGrants Pass
Population
145,00040,051
Pop. Growth
1.50%0.90%
Median Age
31.040.8
Unemployment
4.00%5.60%
GDP
——

Pros & Cons

Papar
Advantages
Significantly lower cost of living and housing compared to major Malaysian urban centers like Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu.
Abundant access to fresh local seafood, tropical fruits, and agricultural produce.
Strong sense of community with a rich multicultural heritage and vibrant local traditions.
Proximity to scenic beaches, rivers, and natural landscapes ideal for outdoor enthusiasts.
Relatively peaceful and low-crime environment conducive to families and retirees.
Drawbacks
Limited local job market diversity, requiring many residents to commute to Kota Kinabalu for specialized employment.
Public transportation options are sparse outside of major rail and bus routes, making car ownership nearly essential.
Fewer high-end entertainment, dining, and cultural amenities within the immediate district.
Vulnerability to seasonal tropical weather patterns, including heavy rainfall and localized flooding.
Advanced healthcare services require travel to Kota Kinabalu for specialized medical care.
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.

Papar
#33
Sabah, Malaysia
78.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$450
Avg Salary
$9,600
Cost Index
42
Commute
45 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
133/yr
Avg Temp
80.80°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
73
Business
62
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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