  We present a comprehensive comparison of the properties of the radio through
X-ray counterpart of GW170817 and the properties of short-duration gamma-ray
bursts (GRBs). For this effort, we utilize a sample of 36 short GRBs spanning a
redshift range of $z \approx 0.12-2.6$ discovered over 2004-2017. We find that
the counterpart to GW170817 has an isotropic-equivalent luminosity that is
$\approx 3000$ times less than the median value of on-axis short GRB X-ray
afterglows, and $\gtrsim10^{4}$ times less than that for detected short GRB
radio afterglows. Moreover, the allowed jet energies and particle densities
inferred from the radio and X-ray counterparts to GW170817 and on-axis short
GRB afterglows are remarkably similar, suggesting that viewing angle effects
are the dominant, and perhaps only, difference in their observed radio and
X-ray behavior. From comparison to previous claimed kilonovae following short
GRBs, we find that the optical and near-IR counterpart to GW170817 is
comparatively under-luminous by a factor of $\approx 3-5$, indicating a range
of kilonova luminosities and timescales. A comparison of the optical limits
following short GRBs on $\lesssim 1$ day timescales also rules out a "blue"
kilonova of comparable optical isotropic-equivalent luminosity in one previous
short GRB. Finally, we investigate the host galaxy of GW170817, NGC4993, in the
context of short GRB host galaxy stellar population properties. We find that
NGC4993 is superlative in terms of its large luminosity, old stellar population
age, and low star formation rate compared to previous short GRB hosts.
Additional events within the Advanced LIGO/VIRGO volume will be crucial in
delineating the properties of the host galaxies of NS-NS mergers, and
connecting them to their cosmological counterparts.
