City Comparison
Tawau vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Tawau scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Tawau
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Tawau is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
63% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Tawau's average rent is
69% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Tawau | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $350 | $1,138 | -69% |
| Groceries | $250 | $404 | -38% |
| Utilities | $75 | $194 | -61% |
| Transport | $90 | $312 | -71% |
| Healthcare | $80 | $226 | -65% |
| Monthly Total | $845 | $2,274 | -63% |
| Cost Index | 42 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 79% 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 Tawau is estimated at
$9,500 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Tawau | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $11,500 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $9,500 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 27,381 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $14,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Tawau runs warmer on average — a 80.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Tawau comes out ahead with 70 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Tawau sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Tawau | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 80.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 75.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 107.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 70 | |
| Humidity | 82.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Tawau.
Tawau scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Tawau leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Tawau | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tawau is the larger city
— approximately 9.3x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Tawau is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Binghamton has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Tawau | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 435,000 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Tawau
Advantages
Housing and rental costs are substantially lower than the national average, making property highly accessible.
Proximity to world-renowned diving sites such as Sipadan Island and Mabul Island.
Abundant access to exceptionally fresh, affordable seafood and local agricultural produce.
Rich multicultural heritage creating a vibrant local culinary and community scene.
Proximity to nature reserves like Tawau Hills Park offering hiking and hot springs.
Drawbacks
Limited high-paying corporate job opportunities outside of traditional agriculture and trade sectors.
Public transportation options are sparse, creating a strong reliance on personal vehicles.
Distance from major metropolitan hubs like Kuala Lumpur requires air travel for advanced services.
Occasional infrastructure bottlenecks regarding water and electricity supply in peripheral areas.
Limited large-scale entertainment or nightlife venues compared to major cities.
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.
Tawau
#44Sabah, Malaysia
76.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$350
Avg Salary
$11,500
Cost Index
42
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
70/yr
Avg Temp
80.90°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
72
Business
64
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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