City Comparison
Rustenburg vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Rustenburg scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Rustenburg
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Rustenburg is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
49% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Rustenburg's average rent is
55% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Rustenburg | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $650 | $1,450 | -55% |
| Groceries | $300 | $450 | -33% |
| Utilities | $130 | $400 | -68% |
| Transport | $90 | $120 | -25% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,320 | $2,570 | -49% |
| Cost Index | 45 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 98% 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 Rustenburg is estimated at
$1,100 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Rustenburg | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $1,450 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $1,100 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 3,222 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $14,000 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Rustenburg runs warmer on average — a 65.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Rustenburg comes out ahead with 246 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Rustenburg sees 0.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Rustenburg | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 68.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 63.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 43.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 246 | |
| Humidity | 58.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,000 minutes (117 hours) per year compared to Rustenburg.
Rustenburg scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Rustenburg leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Rustenburg | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Rustenburg is the larger city
— approximately 13.7x the population of Grants Pass.
From a growth perspective, Rustenburg 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 | Rustenburg | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 549,575 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 29.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 33.50% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Rustenburg
Advantages
Strategic economic hub anchored by world-class platinum mining operations providing robust employment opportunities.
Scenic natural setting at the foot of the Magaliesberg mountains with proximity to Pilanesberg National Park and Sun City.
More affordable cost of living and housing options compared to major metropolitan centers like Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Strong presence of private healthcare facilities, including Netcare and Life Healthcare hospitals.
Abundant outdoor recreational activities, including hiking, mountain biking, and wildlife reserves nearby.
Drawbacks
High local unemployment rate mirroring broader national economic challenges in South Africa.
Heavy reliance on the mining sector makes the local economy vulnerable to global commodity price fluctuations.
Traffic congestion during peak shift-change hours near major industrial and mining corridors.
Property crime and security concerns require residents to invest in private security measures.
Public transport infrastructure remains limited, resulting in high car and minibus taxi dependency.
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.
Rustenburg
#26North West, South Africa
63.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$650
Avg Salary
$1,450
Cost Index
45
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
246/yr
Avg Temp
65.10°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
33.50%
Livability
63
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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