City Comparison
Penampang vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Penampang scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Penampang
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Penampang is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in Syracuse.
| Metric | Penampang | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,550 | $1,546 | 0% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $327 | -45% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,450 | $2,593 | -6% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Syracuse offers 49% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Syracuse delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Penampang is estimated at
$35,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Penampang | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $30,000 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $35,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 33,333 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $62,000 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Penampang runs warmer on average — a 80°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Penampang comes out ahead with 114 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Penampang sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Penampang | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 80.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 73.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 112.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 114 | |
| Humidity | 80.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Syracuse has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Penampang.
For walkability, Syracuse leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Penampang | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 40.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Penampang is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Syracuse.
From a growth perspective, Penampang is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Syracuse has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Penampang | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,892 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.68% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 28.0 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.80% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Penampang
Advantages
Rich indigenous Kadazan-Dusun culture and heritage, with numerous cultural sites and festivals.
Affordable cost of living and housing compared to the nearby city center of Kota Kinabalu.
Proximity to Kota Kinabalu, offering convenient access to urban amenities and services while maintaining a distinct identity.
Growing commercial and residential development, indicating economic activity and opportunities.
Access to natural attractions and conservation areas, such as Tagal Tinopikon Park and Lok Kawi Wildlife Park.
Drawbacks
Limited public transportation options, making car ownership often a necessity for convenient travel.
Vulnerability to floods in certain areas, as reported by residents.
While developing, some areas may still retain a more traditional or less urbanized feel, which might not suit everyone.
Specific detailed economic data (e.g., unemployment rate, top industries) for Penampang itself is not readily available, requiring reliance on broader regional or national statistics.
Traffic congestion can be an issue, particularly on main roads like Jalan Penampang during peak hours.
Syracuse
Advantages
Syracuse offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to other major cities in New York State.
The city has a growing job market, particularly in healthcare, education, and advanced manufacturing, with significant projects like Micron's semiconductor facility boosting employment opportunities.
Syracuse is home to strong educational institutions, including Syracuse University and SUNY Upstate Medical University, contributing to a vibrant and educated community.
The city boasts a good safety profile, with a violent crime rate significantly below the national average.
Residents benefit from manageable commute times, averaging around 18 minutes.
Drawbacks
Syracuse experiences severe and snowy winters, with heavy annual snowfall.
The city has a higher cost of living than the national average, particularly concerning housing expenses.
Public transportation can be unreliable, contributing to a medium car dependency for residents.
Some areas of the city face challenges with crime and poverty.
Utility costs, especially for heating, can be high due to long, cold winters.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Penampang
#72Sabah, Malaysia
64.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,550
Avg Salary
$30,000
Cost Index
90
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
40.0/100
Sunny Days
114/yr
Avg Temp
80.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.68%
Unemployment
5.80%
Livability
75
Business
65
Syracuse
#361New York, USA
59.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,546
Avg Salary
$58,525
Cost Index
103
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
57.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
5.10%
Livability
70
Business
70
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