City Comparison
Penampang vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Penampang scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Penampang
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Penampang is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Penampang | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,550 | $1,450 | +7% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $400 | -55% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,450 | $2,570 | -5% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 53% 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 Penampang is estimated at
$35,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Penampang | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $30,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $35,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 33,333 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $62,000 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Penampang runs warmer on average — a 80°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Penampang comes out ahead with 114 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Penampang sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Penampang | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 80.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 73.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 112.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 114 | |
| Humidity | 80.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Penampang.
Penampang scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Penampang | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 40.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Penampang is the larger city
— approximately 4.2x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Grants Pass 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 | Penampang | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,892 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.68% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 28.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.80% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Penampang
Advantages
Rich indigenous Kadazan-Dusun culture and heritage, with numerous cultural sites and festivals.
Affordable cost of living and housing compared to the nearby city center of Kota Kinabalu.
Proximity to Kota Kinabalu, offering convenient access to urban amenities and services while maintaining a distinct identity.
Growing commercial and residential development, indicating economic activity and opportunities.
Access to natural attractions and conservation areas, such as Tagal Tinopikon Park and Lok Kawi Wildlife Park.
Drawbacks
Limited public transportation options, making car ownership often a necessity for convenient travel.
Vulnerability to floods in certain areas, as reported by residents.
While developing, some areas may still retain a more traditional or less urbanized feel, which might not suit everyone.
Specific detailed economic data (e.g., unemployment rate, top industries) for Penampang itself is not readily available, requiring reliance on broader regional or national statistics.
Traffic congestion can be an issue, particularly on main roads like Jalan Penampang during peak hours.
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.
Penampang
#72Sabah, Malaysia
64.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,550
Avg Salary
$30,000
Cost Index
90
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
40.0/100
Sunny Days
114/yr
Avg Temp
80.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.68%
Unemployment
5.80%
Livability
75
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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