City Comparison
Keningau vs Aiken
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Keningau scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Keningau
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Keningau is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
81% lower than in Aiken.
Housing costs are a major driver: Keningau's average rent is
86% lower than Aiken's.
| Metric | Keningau | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $196 | $1,400 | -86% |
| Groceries | $147 | $400 | -63% |
| Utilities | $49 | $236 | -79% |
| Transport | $37 | $120 | -69% |
| Healthcare | $17 | $250 | -93% |
| Monthly Total | $446 | $2,406 | -81% |
| Cost Index | 30 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aiken offers 91% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Aiken delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Keningau is estimated at
$4,500 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Keningau | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $5,880 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $4,500 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 19,600 idx | 74,027 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Keningau runs warmer on average — a 79°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Keningau comes out ahead with 130 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Keningau sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Keningau | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 79.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 71.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 100.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 130 | |
| Humidity | 80.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Aiken has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Keningau.
Keningau scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Aiken leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Keningau | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 50.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 60.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Keningau is the larger city
— approximately 4.9x the population of Aiken.
From a growth perspective, Keningau is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Aiken has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Keningau | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 162,106 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.26% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 46.6 | |
| Unemployment | 5.60% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Keningau
Advantages
Keningau has a government hospital (Hospital Keningau) providing specialist services, ensuring access to comprehensive medical care.
The town offers accessible primary care through government clinics like Klinik Kesihatan UTC Keningau and private polyclinics.
Keningau is characterized by its rich ethnic diversity, with Dusuns, Muruts, and Lundayehs as major groups, fostering a vibrant cultural environment.
The cost of living in Keningau is considerably lower than in many global cities, making it highly affordable.
The surrounding natural environment, including proximity to Crocker Range National Park, offers opportunities for outdoor activities and a connection to nature.
Drawbacks
Traffic congestion in Keningau, particularly in main town areas and entry routes, is worsening, causing daily travel disruptions.
Sabah, including Keningau, faces a high unemployment rate of 5.6% as of June 2026, which is the highest among Malaysian states.
The median monthly wage in Sabah (RM2,000 or ~USD 490 in Q3 2025) is 17% below the national average, indicating lower earning potential.
Public transportation options within Keningau are limited, primarily relying on minibuses and taxis, leading to high car dependency.
The town's infrastructure and city planning have been noted as insufficient to cope with the growing number of vehicles, exacerbating traffic issues.
Aiken
Advantages
The cost of living in Aiken is approximately 11% lower than the national average.
Aiken boasts a higher homeownership rate of 68.1% as of 2024.
The city offers a mild climate with ample opportunities for outdoor activities and a vibrant downtown.
Aiken County's unemployment rate of 3.4% in April 2026 is lower than the national average.
The average commute time of 24 minutes is considered manageable.
Drawbacks
Aiken's transportation system is largely car-dependent, with limited public transit options.
The city's safety index of 30 suggests a higher crime rate compared to national benchmarks.
Aiken County's poverty rate of 14.3% is higher than the national average of 12.5%.
While the downtown is walkable, the city overall has a lower walkability score due to car dependency.
Some utility costs are reported to be slightly higher than the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Keningau
#55Sabah, Malaysia
74.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$196
Avg Salary
$5,880
Cost Index
30
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
130/yr
Avg Temp
79.00°F
Pop. Growth
1.26%
Unemployment
5.60%
Livability
70
Business
62
Aiken
#322South Carolina, USA
60.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,400
Avg Salary
$65,884
Cost Index
89
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
72
Business
65
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