City Comparison
Tenom vs Bay City
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Tenom scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Tenom
Bay City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Tenom is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
59% lower than in Bay City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Tenom's average rent is
63% lower than Bay City's.
| Metric | Tenom | Bay City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $350 | $950 | -63% |
| Groceries | $200 | $380 | -47% |
| Utilities | $70 | $175 | -60% |
| Transport | $80 | $110 | -27% |
| Healthcare | $50 | $230 | -78% |
| Monthly Total | $750 | $1,845 | -59% |
| Cost Index | 45 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bay City offers 82% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Bay City delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Tenom is estimated at
$8,000 vs $42,000 in Bay City.
| Metric | Tenom | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $9,500 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $8,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 21,111 idx | 61,176 idx |
| Household Income | $11,000 | $48,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Tenom runs warmer on average — a 30.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Bay City comes out ahead with 143 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Bay City sees 34.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Tenom | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 79.20°F | 48.80°F |
| Summer High | 86.90°F | 79.90°F |
| Winter Low | 72.20°F | 16.80°F |
| Rainfall | 100.40 in | 29.50 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 34.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 115 | 258 |
| Humidity | 82.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Tenom has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Bay City.
Bay City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Tenom leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Tenom | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 38.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bay City is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Tenom.
From a growth perspective, Tenom is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Tenom has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Tenom | Bay City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,500 | 32,611 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | — |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 41.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 5.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Tenom
Advantages
Exceptionally low cost of living compared to major Malaysian urban centers
Renowned for high-quality local coffee production and rich agricultural heritage
Peaceful, low-crime environment with a strong community-oriented social fabric
Proximity to pristine natural landscapes, rainforests, and the Padas River
Stable housing market with highly affordable landed property options
Drawbacks
Limited local job market restricted primarily to agriculture, retail, and public services
Distance from major metropolitan hubs like Kota Kinabalu limits specialized entertainment and retail
Advanced healthcare services require travel to regional medical centers
Mountain road connectivity to coastal cities can be vulnerable to seasonal weather disruptions
Limited high-speed broadband infrastructure outside the immediate town center
Bay City
Advantages
Median home prices in Bay City are significantly lower than the national average per recent housing market data.
Abundant waterfront access along the Saginaw River and Saginaw Bay supports a strong boating and outdoor recreation culture.
Rich architectural heritage featuring expansive historic districts with preserved 19th-century Victorian homes.
Low overall cost of living indices allow residents to enjoy greater financial affordability on everyday goods and utilities.
Active downtown district featuring local dining, craft beverage makers, and community festivals.
Drawbacks
Cold, snowy winters require residents to adapt to significant seasonal snowfall and freezing temperatures.
Limited public transit infrastructure creates a high reliance on personal automobiles for daily transportation.
Job growth in certain traditional sectors has lagged behind larger metropolitan areas in Michigan.
Higher poverty rates in specific city neighborhoods compared to the broader suburban county areas.
Cooler spring and autumn shoulder seasons shorten the peak window for outdoor activities.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Tenom
#49Sabah, Malaysia
75.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$350
Avg Salary
$9,500
Cost Index
45
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
115/yr
Avg Temp
79.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
72
Business
58
Bay City
#401Michigan, USA
58.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
85
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
258/yr
Avg Temp
48.80°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
72
Business
65
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