City Comparison
Tawau vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Tawau scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Tawau
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Tawau is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
67% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Tawau's average rent is
76% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Tawau | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $350 | $1,450 | -76% |
| Groceries | $250 | $450 | -44% |
| Utilities | $75 | $400 | -81% |
| Transport | $90 | $120 | -25% |
| Healthcare | $80 | $150 | -47% |
| Monthly Total | $845 | $2,570 | -67% |
| Cost Index | 42 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 82% 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 Tawau is estimated at
$9,500 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Tawau | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $11,500 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $9,500 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 27,381 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $14,000 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Tawau runs warmer on average — a 80.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Tawau comes out ahead with 70 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Tawau sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Tawau | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 80.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 75.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 107.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 70 | |
| Humidity | 82.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Tawau.
Tawau scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Tawau leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Tawau | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tawau is the larger city
— approximately 10.9x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Tawau is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Tawau has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Tawau | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 435,000 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Tawau
Advantages
Housing and rental costs are substantially lower than the national average, making property highly accessible.
Proximity to world-renowned diving sites such as Sipadan Island and Mabul Island.
Abundant access to exceptionally fresh, affordable seafood and local agricultural produce.
Rich multicultural heritage creating a vibrant local culinary and community scene.
Proximity to nature reserves like Tawau Hills Park offering hiking and hot springs.
Drawbacks
Limited high-paying corporate job opportunities outside of traditional agriculture and trade sectors.
Public transportation options are sparse, creating a strong reliance on personal vehicles.
Distance from major metropolitan hubs like Kuala Lumpur requires air travel for advanced services.
Occasional infrastructure bottlenecks regarding water and electricity supply in peripheral areas.
Limited large-scale entertainment or nightlife venues compared to major cities.
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.
Tawau
#44Sabah, Malaysia
76.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$350
Avg Salary
$11,500
Cost Index
42
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
70/yr
Avg Temp
80.90°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
72
Business
64
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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