City Comparison
Malchin vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Malchin scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Malchin
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Malchin is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
42% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Malchin's average rent is
55% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Malchin | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $650 | $1,450 | -55% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $220 | $400 | -45% |
| Transport | $90 | $120 | -25% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,490 | $2,570 | -42% |
| Cost Index | 78 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 41% 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 Malchin is estimated at
$32,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Malchin | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $38,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $32,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 48,718 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $41,000 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Malchin runs warmer on average — a 50.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Malchin comes out ahead with 259 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Malchin sees 5.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Malchin | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 72.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 32.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 23.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 5.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 259 | |
| Humidity | 78.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Malchin.
Malchin scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Malchin leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Malchin | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 70.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Malchin.
From a growth perspective, Grants Pass is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Grants Pass has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Malchin | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,250 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 49.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 8.50% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Malchin
Advantages
Significantly lower housing and rental costs compared to the German national average
Exceptional proximity to the Mecklenburg Lake District and Peene River nature reserves
Low crime rates and a peaceful, family-friendly community environment
Rich historical heritage with well-preserved Gothic architecture and cultural traditions
Active local cycling, hiking, and outdoor recreation culture
Drawbacks
Limited high-paying local job opportunities compared to major metropolitan hubs
Declining and aging demographic trends impacting local workforce expansion
Reliance on neighboring cities for specialized hospital and advanced medical care
Limited public transit frequency during weekends and evening hours
Modest nightlife and entertainment options within the town limits
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.
Malchin
#54Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, Germany
61.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$650
Avg Salary
$38,000
Cost Index
78
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
70.0/100
Sunny Days
259/yr
Avg Temp
50.40°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
8.50%
Livability
75
Business
62
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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