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Keningau vs Cincinnati

Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.

Sabah, Malaysia
View Keningau profile
#55 in Malaysia
74
Overall Score
VS
Ohio, USA
View Cincinnati profile
#501 in USA
53
Overall Score
Keningau scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Keningau
Cincinnati
Livability
70
70
Affordability
85
97
Business
62
72
Growth
65
68

Cost of Living

Keningau is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about 82% lower than in Cincinnati. Housing costs are a major driver: Keningau's average rent is 86% lower than Cincinnati's.
MetricKeningauCincinnatiDiff
Average Rent
$196$1,410-86%
Groceries
$147$493-70%
Utilities
$49$178-72%
Transport
$37$120-69%
Healthcare
$17$250-93%
Monthly Total
$446$2,451-82%
Cost Index
30103out of 100

Salary & Income

Cincinnati offers 93% lower average salaries. However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati.
MetricKeningauCincinnati
Average Salary
$5,880$79,000
Salary Needed
$4,500$55,000
Purchasing Power
19,600 idx76,699 idx

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.
MetricKeningauCincinnati
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%

Commute & Transport

Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly 4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Keningau. For walkability, Keningau leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
MetricKeningauCincinnati
Commute Time
30 min22 min
Transit Score
40.0/10040.0/100
Walkability
50.0/10049.0/100
Traffic Index
60.0050.00
Car Dependency
HighMedium

Economy & Demographics

Cincinnati is the larger city — approximately 0.5x the population of Keningau. From a growth perspective, Keningau is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services. On the employment side, Cincinnati has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
MetricKeningauCincinnati
Population
162,106314,915
Pop. Growth
1.26%0.70%
Median Age
33.2
Unemployment
5.60%3.20%
GDP
——

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.
Cincinnati
Advantages
The cost of living in Cincinnati is 3% lower than the national average, making it more affordable than many major U.S. cities.
Cincinnati boasts a diverse and growing economy, with strong sectors in healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services.
The city offers a vibrant arts and culture scene, including museums, theaters, and a symphony orchestra.
Several neighborhoods, such as Over-The-Rhine and the Central Business District, are highly walkable, with Walk Scores of 94 and 92 respectively.
The median property value in Cincinnati was $230,900 in 2024, significantly lower than the national average, making homeownership more accessible.
Drawbacks
While some areas are highly walkable, the city's overall Walk Score of 49 indicates a car-dependent environment for most errands.
Public transportation, while available, is not considered the most dependable, often necessitating a personal vehicle.
The city's poverty rate was 25.5% in 2024, which is higher than the national average.
Cincinnati experiences extreme seasonal variations in humidity, with muggy summers and very cold, snowy winters.
The average commute time in the Cincinnati metropolitan area was 2 hours daily in 2023, which is relatively long compared to some other cities.

Dive Deeper

Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.

Keningau
#55
Sabah, 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
View Full Profile
Cincinnati
#501
Ohio, USA
52.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,410
Avg Salary
$79,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
49.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
70
Business
72
View Full Profile

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