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Serian vs Grants Pass

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

Sarawak, Malaysia
View Serian profile
#7 in Malaysia
83
Overall Score
VS
Oregon, USA
View Grants Pass profile
#584 in USA
45
Overall Score
Serian scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Serian
Grants Pass
Livability
76
70
Affordability
85
65
Business
62
60
Growth
71
62

Cost of Living

Serian is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about 68% lower than in Grants Pass. Housing costs are a major driver: Serian's average rent is 76% lower than Grants Pass's.
MetricSerianGrants PassDiff
Average Rent
$350$1,450-76%
Groceries
$250$450-44%
Utilities
$75$400-81%
Transport
$90$120-25%
Healthcare
$60$150-60%
Monthly Total
$825$2,570-68%
Cost Index
52112out 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 Serian is estimated at $7,500 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
MetricSerianGrants Pass
Average Salary
$9,500$64,331
Salary Needed
$7,500$58,000
Purchasing Power
18,269 idx57,438 idx
Household Income
$12,500$59,646

Climate Comparison

Serian runs warmer on average — a 79.3°F difference year-round. For sunshine, Serian comes out ahead with 67 more sunny days per year, which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle. Winter severity differs too — Serian sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
MetricSerianGrants Pass
Avg Temp
79.30°F°F
Summer High
86.60°F°F
Winter Low
72.80°F°F
Rainfall
139.00 in in
Snowfall
0.00 in in
Sunny Days
67
Humidity
85.00%74.00%

Commute & Transport

Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly 3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Serian. Serian scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living. For walkability, Serian leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
MetricSerianGrants Pass
Commute Time
25 min18 min
Transit Score
45.0/10027.0/100
Walkability
62.0/10040.0/100
Traffic Index
38.00
Car Dependency
HighHigh

Economy & Demographics

Serian is the larger city — approximately 2.6x the population of Grants Pass. From a growth perspective, Serian is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services. On the employment side, Serian has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
MetricSerianGrants Pass
Population
105,10040,051
Pop. Growth
1.50%0.90%
Median Age
33.040.8
Unemployment
3.50%5.60%
GDP
——

Pros & Cons

Serian
Advantages
Cost of living and housing prices remain substantially lower than national urban averages per Department of Statistics Malaysia.
Strategic location along the Pan Borneo Highway provides seamless connectivity to Kuching and surrounding regions.
Rich multicultural heritage and vibrant local markets offering renowned Bornean produce and cuisine.
Low crime rate and strong community safety profile ideal for families and retirees.
Proximity to pristine natural attractions, waterfalls, and eco-tourism sites including the famous durian orchards.
Drawbacks
Reliance on major medical facilities in Kuching for advanced or specialized healthcare treatments.
Limited public transportation infrastructure outside of main highway bus routes and regional taxis.
Job market is relatively concentrated in public administration and agriculture, offering fewer corporate career paths.
High seasonal rainfall can occasionally impact outdoor activities and local rural transport routes.
Limited high-end entertainment, nightlife, and cultural venues compared to larger urban centers.
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.

Serian
#7
Sarawak, Malaysia
83.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$350
Avg Salary
$9,500
Cost Index
52
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
67/yr
Avg Temp
79.30°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
76
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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