City Comparison
Keningau vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Keningau scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Keningau
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Keningau is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
80% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Keningau's average rent is
83% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Keningau | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $196 | $1,138 | -83% |
| Groceries | $147 | $404 | -64% |
| Utilities | $49 | $194 | -75% |
| Transport | $37 | $312 | -88% |
| Healthcare | $17 | $226 | -92% |
| Monthly Total | $446 | $2,274 | -80% |
| Cost Index | 30 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 89% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Binghamton delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Keningau is estimated at
$4,500 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Keningau | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $5,880 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $4,500 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 19,600 idx | 50,000 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 | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,000 minutes (117 hours) per year compared to Keningau.
Keningau scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Binghamton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Keningau | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 50.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 60.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Keningau is the larger city
— approximately 3.5x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Keningau is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Binghamton has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Keningau | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 162,106 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.26% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 35.9 | |
| Unemployment | 5.60% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
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.
Binghamton
Advantages
The average commute time in Binghamton is relatively short at 16 minutes, offering more personal time.
Housing costs are generally lower than the national average, with a median home price of $194,000 as of December 2025.
The presence of Binghamton University provides a vibrant cultural scene and educational opportunities.
The city's economy is diversifying with growth in healthcare, education, and advanced manufacturing sectors.
Binghamton offers access to natural landscapes and outdoor recreational activities due to its river confluence and surrounding hills.
Drawbacks
Binghamton has a high crime rate, with total crime being 86% higher than the national average based on 2024 FBI data.
The unemployment rate in Binghamton was 4.3% in 2026, slightly higher than the national average.
Public transportation options are limited, as indicated by a Transit Score of 33 for Downtown Binghamton.
Despite some positive economic indicators, the Binghamton metro area experienced a 2.8% population decrease over a 10-year period leading up to 2024.
Drug-related crime remains a significant concern in the Binghamton area, despite a decrease in overdose rates.
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
Binghamton
#603New York, USA
38.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,138
Avg Salary
$55,000
Cost Index
110
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
33.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
68
Business
60
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