City Comparison
Sandakan vs Elyria
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Sandakan scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Sandakan
Elyria
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Sandakan is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
57% lower than in Elyria.
Housing costs are a major driver: Sandakan's average rent is
83% lower than Elyria's.
| Metric | Sandakan | Elyria | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $153 | $917 | -83% |
| Groceries | $200 | $450 | -56% |
| Utilities | $180 | $249 | -28% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $125 | +20% |
| Monthly Total | $803 | $1,861 | -57% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Elyria offers 81% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Elyria delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Sandakan is estimated at
$10,000 vs $30,516 in Elyria.
| Metric | Sandakan | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $14,652 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $10,000 | $30,516 |
| Purchasing Power | 15,423 idx | 82,979 idx |
| Household Income | $12,849 | $54,945 |
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 | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Elyria has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 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 | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 13.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Sandakan is the larger city
— approximately 7.6x the population of Elyria.
From a growth perspective, Sandakan is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Elyria has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Sandakan | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 410,000 | 53,634 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | — |
| Median Age | 32.0 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.76% | 3.40% |
| 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].
Elyria
Advantages
The cost of living in Elyria is significantly lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Elyria boasts a high livability score and ample local amenities, including restaurants, grocery stores, and parks.
The city's crime rate is lower than the national average, contributing to a generally safe environment.
Housing in Elyria is notably affordable, with a median property value significantly below the national average.
Elyria offers a strong sense of community and a friendly, small-town atmosphere.
Drawbacks
The employment sector in Elyria has received a low grade, indicating challenges in the job market.
Public transportation options are limited, leading to high car dependency for most residents.
Some residents perceive a lack of nightlife and entertainment options for adults, describing the city as 'boring' for that demographic.
The city faces issues with road quality, including bad streets and potholes.
Shopping opportunities have been noted as dissipating from what was once a booming city.
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
Elyria
#397Ohio, USA
58.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$917
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
94
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
13.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
75
Business
50
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