City Comparison
Sandakan vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Sandakan scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Sandakan
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Sandakan is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
67% lower than in Cincinnati.
Housing costs are a major driver: Sandakan's average rent is
89% lower than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Sandakan | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $153 | $1,410 | -89% |
| Groceries | $200 | $493 | -59% |
| Utilities | $180 | $178 | +1% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $250 | -40% |
| Monthly Total | $803 | $2,451 | -67% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 81% 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 Sandakan is estimated at
$10,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Sandakan | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $14,652 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $10,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 15,423 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $12,849 | $52,909 |
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 | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 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 | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Sandakan is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Cincinnati.
From a growth perspective, Sandakan 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.
| Metric | Sandakan | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 410,000 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 32.0 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.76% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
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].
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.
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
Cincinnati
#501Ohio, 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
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