City Comparison
Tenom vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Tenom scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Tenom
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Tenom is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
67% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Tenom's average rent is
69% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Tenom | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $350 | $1,138 | -69% |
| Groceries | $200 | $404 | -50% |
| Utilities | $70 | $194 | -64% |
| Transport | $80 | $312 | -74% |
| Healthcare | $50 | $226 | -78% |
| Monthly Total | $750 | $2,274 | -67% |
| Cost Index | 45 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 83% 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 Tenom is estimated at
$8,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Tenom | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $9,500 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $8,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 21,111 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $11,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Tenom runs warmer on average — a 79.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Tenom comes out ahead with 115 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Tenom sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Tenom | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 79.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 86.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 72.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 100.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 115 | |
| Humidity | 82.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Tenom 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 | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Tenom.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton 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 | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,500 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
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
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.
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
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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