City Comparison
Balik Pulau vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Balik Pulau scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Balik Pulau
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Balik Pulau is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
52% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Balik Pulau's average rent is
55% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Balik Pulau | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $650 | $1,450 | -55% |
| Groceries | $300 | $450 | -33% |
| Utilities | $75 | $400 | -81% |
| Transport | $100 | $120 | -17% |
| Healthcare | $110 | $150 | -27% |
| Monthly Total | $1,235 | $2,570 | -52% |
| Cost Index | 42 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 66% 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 Balik Pulau is estimated at
$18,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Balik Pulau | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $22,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $18,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,381 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $23,000 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Balik Pulau | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 82.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,000 minutes (117 hours) per year compared to Balik Pulau.
Balik Pulau scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Balik Pulau leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Balik Pulau | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Balik Pulau is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Balik Pulau is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Balik Pulau has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Balik Pulau | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,000 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.30% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Balik Pulau
Advantages
Southwest district median household income sits at a competitive RM8,919 per month, outperforming many national benchmarks.
Housing and rental costs are substantially lower than central George Town and the eastern coastlines.
Surrounded by lush natural scenery, fresh air, and famous agricultural heritage including orchards and paddy fields.
Upcoming private specialist hospital project slated for 2028 will greatly enhance local healthcare access.
Low crime rates and a strong community-centric, safe living environment.
Drawbacks
High car dependency with limited public transit infrastructure for daily commuting.
Commuting across the central hills to major employment hubs like Bayan Lepas can experience peak-hour bottlenecks.
Fewer entertainment, nightlife, and high-rise commercial retail options compared to eastern Penang.
Specialized medical treatments currently require traveling off-site to regional hospitals in George Town.
Vulnerability of arterial mountain roadways to occasional weather-related disruptions during heavy monsoon seasons.
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.
Balik Pulau
#21Penang (Pulau Pinang), Malaysia
80.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$650
Avg Salary
$22,000
Cost Index
42
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.30%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
78
Business
65
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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