City Comparison
Phalaborwa vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Phalaborwa scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Phalaborwa
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Phalaborwa is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
55% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Phalaborwa's average rent is
55% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Phalaborwa | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $650 | $1,450 | -55% |
| Groceries | $300 | $450 | -33% |
| Utilities | $120 | $400 | -70% |
| Transport | $90 | $120 | -25% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $150 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,160 | $2,570 | -55% |
| Cost Index | 42 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 98% 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 Phalaborwa is estimated at
$1,100 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Phalaborwa | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $1,400 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $1,100 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 3,333 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $12,500 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Phalaborwa runs warmer on average — a 74.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Phalaborwa comes out ahead with 273 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Phalaborwa sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Phalaborwa | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 74.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 70.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 24.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 273 | |
| Humidity | 55.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Phalaborwa scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Phalaborwa leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Phalaborwa | 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
Phalaborwa is the larger city
— approximately 4.7x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Phalaborwa 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 | Phalaborwa | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,603 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.20% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 28.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 37.40% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Phalaborwa
Advantages
Direct gateway location adjacent to the Kruger National Park offering unmatched wildlife access.
Home to the Hans Merensky Golf Estate featuring integrated wildlife roaming the course.
Rich local mineral wealth driving foundational industrial employment opportunities.
Significantly lower housing and general cost of living relative to major South African metros.
Warm winter climate attracting seasonal tourism and long-term retirees.
Drawbacks
High local municipal unemployment rate exceeding national averages.
Intense summer heat can be oppressive for residents unaccustomed to lowveld climates.
Geographic isolation requires long-distance travel for specialized goods and advanced healthcare.
Vulnerability to economic shifts and commodity price fluctuations in the mining sector.
Infrastructure challenges regarding local municipal service delivery consistency.
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.
Phalaborwa
#8Limpopo, South Africa
67.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$650
Avg Salary
$1,400
Cost Index
42
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
273/yr
Avg Temp
74.30°F
Pop. Growth
2.20%
Unemployment
37.40%
Livability
65
Business
56
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Phalaborwa and Grants Pass.
Open Cost Calculator