City Comparison
Tenom vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Tenom scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Tenom
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Tenom is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
71% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Tenom's average rent is
76% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Tenom | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $350 | $1,450 | -76% |
| Groceries | $200 | $450 | -56% |
| Utilities | $70 | $400 | -83% |
| Transport | $80 | $120 | -33% |
| Healthcare | $50 | $150 | -67% |
| Monthly Total | $750 | $2,570 | -71% |
| Cost Index | 45 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
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 Tenom is estimated at
$8,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Tenom | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $9,500 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $8,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 21,111 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $11,000 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Tenom runs warmer on average — a 79.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Tenom comes out ahead with 115 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Tenom sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Tenom | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 79.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 86.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 72.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 100.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 115 | |
| Humidity | 82.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Tenom scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Tenom leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Tenom | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Tenom.
From a growth perspective, Grants Pass is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Tenom has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Tenom | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,500 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Tenom
Advantages
Exceptionally low cost of living compared to major Malaysian urban centers
Renowned for high-quality local coffee production and rich agricultural heritage
Peaceful, low-crime environment with a strong community-oriented social fabric
Proximity to pristine natural landscapes, rainforests, and the Padas River
Stable housing market with highly affordable landed property options
Drawbacks
Limited local job market restricted primarily to agriculture, retail, and public services
Distance from major metropolitan hubs like Kota Kinabalu limits specialized entertainment and retail
Advanced healthcare services require travel to regional medical centers
Mountain road connectivity to coastal cities can be vulnerable to seasonal weather disruptions
Limited high-speed broadband infrastructure outside the immediate town center
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.
Tenom
#49Sabah, Malaysia
75.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$350
Avg Salary
$9,500
Cost Index
45
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
115/yr
Avg Temp
79.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
72
Business
58
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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