City Comparison
Secunda vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Secunda scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Secunda
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Secunda is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
47% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Secunda's average rent is
55% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Secunda | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $650 | $1,450 | -55% |
| Groceries | $320 | $450 | -29% |
| Utilities | $150 | $400 | -63% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $140 | $150 | -7% |
| Monthly Total | $1,370 | $2,570 | -47% |
| Cost Index | 52 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 96% 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 Secunda is estimated at
$1,800 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Secunda | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $2,400 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $1,800 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 4,615 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $28,000 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Secunda runs warmer on average — a 61.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Secunda comes out ahead with 255 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Secunda sees 0.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Secunda | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 61.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 65.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 59.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 37.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 255 | |
| Humidity | 62.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Secunda scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Secunda leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Secunda | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 50.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Secunda is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Grants Pass.
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 | Secunda | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,000 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 26.50% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Secunda
Advantages
High concentration of stable, high-paying engineering and technical jobs anchored by Sasol Operations
Well-planned suburban layout with robust community sports and recreational facilities
Shorter average commute times compared to major South African metropolitan areas
Comprehensive local private healthcare infrastructure including Mediclinic facilities
Active municipal and corporate backing for local infrastructure and neighborhood maintenance
Drawbacks
High economic reliance on a single major industrial employer and carbon-intensive sector
Heavy industrial environmental footprint and air quality monitoring concerns
Limited public transportation network creating high reliance on private vehicles
Vulnerability to broader national power grid instabilities and utility disruptions
Fluctuating rental market driven by temporary industrial contracting cycles
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.
Secunda
#11Mpumalanga, South Africa
66.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$650
Avg Salary
$2,400
Cost Index
52
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
61.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
26.50%
Livability
70
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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