City Comparison
Sandakan vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Sandakan scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Sandakan
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Sandakan is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
65% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Sandakan's average rent is
87% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Sandakan | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $153 | $1,138 | -87% |
| Groceries | $200 | $404 | -50% |
| Utilities | $180 | $194 | -7% |
| Transport | $120 | $312 | -62% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $226 | -34% |
| Monthly Total | $803 | $2,274 | -65% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 73% 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 Sandakan is estimated at
$10,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Sandakan | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $14,652 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $10,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 15,423 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $12,849 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Sandakan runs warmer on average — a 81.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Sandakan comes out ahead with 71 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Sandakan sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Sandakan | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 81.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 75.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 123.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 71 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Sandakan.
Sandakan scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Sandakan leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Sandakan | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Sandakan is the larger city
— approximately 8.8x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Sandakan is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Sandakan has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Sandakan | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 410,000 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 32.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.76% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Sandakan
Advantages
Affordable cost of living, with an estimated monthly expense of $583 for an individual [16].
Rich ecotourism opportunities, serving as a gateway to renowned wildlife sanctuaries and natural attractions like the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and Kinabatangan River [7, 8].
Historical significance, offering insights into colonial history and WWII through sites like the Sandakan Memorial Park and the Heritage Trail [2, 13, 31].
Accessible housing market with relatively low rental prices, estimated at RM450-RM700 ($98-$153 USD) for a one-bedroom apartment [29].
Friendly and unpretentious community atmosphere, contributing to a relaxed lifestyle [38].
Drawbacks
Limited private healthcare facilities, with only one government hospital (Duchess of Kent Hospital) and no private hospitals currently available [15].
Sprawling urban layout means walkability is primarily confined to the city center; reliance on transport is necessary for broader exploration [30, 46].
Public transport services have limited operating hours, typically ending by early evening, requiring alternative arrangements for late-night travel [12].
Some tourist attractions and heritage sites may have mixed reviews regarding maintenance or accessibility, requiring careful planning [31].
Fewer entertainment and nightlife options compared to larger Malaysian cities like Kota Kinabalu [38].
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.
Sandakan
#75Sabah, Malaysia
62.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$153
Avg Salary
$14,652
Cost Index
95
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
71/yr
Avg Temp
81.30°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
3.76%
Livability
74
Business
68
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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