City Comparison
Sandakan vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Sandakan scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Sandakan
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Sandakan is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
69% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Sandakan's average rent is
89% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Sandakan | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $153 | $1,450 | -89% |
| Groceries | $200 | $450 | -56% |
| Utilities | $180 | $400 | -55% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $803 | $2,570 | -69% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 77% 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 Sandakan is estimated at
$10,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Sandakan | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $14,652 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $10,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 15,423 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $12,849 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Sandakan runs warmer on average — a 81.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Sandakan comes out ahead with 71 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Sandakan sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Sandakan | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 81.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 75.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 123.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 71 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Sandakan.
Sandakan scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Sandakan leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Sandakan | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Sandakan is the larger city
— approximately 10.2x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Sandakan is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Sandakan has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Sandakan | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 410,000 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 32.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.76% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Sandakan
Advantages
Affordable cost of living, with an estimated monthly expense of $583 for an individual [16].
Rich ecotourism opportunities, serving as a gateway to renowned wildlife sanctuaries and natural attractions like the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and Kinabatangan River [7, 8].
Historical significance, offering insights into colonial history and WWII through sites like the Sandakan Memorial Park and the Heritage Trail [2, 13, 31].
Accessible housing market with relatively low rental prices, estimated at RM450-RM700 ($98-$153 USD) for a one-bedroom apartment [29].
Friendly and unpretentious community atmosphere, contributing to a relaxed lifestyle [38].
Drawbacks
Limited private healthcare facilities, with only one government hospital (Duchess of Kent Hospital) and no private hospitals currently available [15].
Sprawling urban layout means walkability is primarily confined to the city center; reliance on transport is necessary for broader exploration [30, 46].
Public transport services have limited operating hours, typically ending by early evening, requiring alternative arrangements for late-night travel [12].
Some tourist attractions and heritage sites may have mixed reviews regarding maintenance or accessibility, requiring careful planning [31].
Fewer entertainment and nightlife options compared to larger Malaysian cities like Kota Kinabalu [38].
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.
Sandakan
#75Sabah, Malaysia
62.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$153
Avg Salary
$14,652
Cost Index
95
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
71/yr
Avg Temp
81.30°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
3.76%
Livability
74
Business
68
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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