City Comparison
Tenom vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Tenom scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Tenom
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Tenom is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
69% lower than in Cincinnati.
Housing costs are a major driver: Tenom's average rent is
75% lower than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Tenom | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $350 | $1,410 | -75% |
| Groceries | $200 | $493 | -59% |
| Utilities | $70 | $178 | -61% |
| Transport | $80 | $120 | -33% |
| Healthcare | $50 | $250 | -80% |
| Monthly Total | $750 | $2,451 | -69% |
| Cost Index | 45 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 88% 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 Tenom is estimated at
$8,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Tenom | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $9,500 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $8,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 21,111 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $11,000 | $52,909 |
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 | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Tenom has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Cincinnati.
Cincinnati 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 | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Tenom.
From a growth perspective, Tenom 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 | Tenom | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,500 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.20% |
| 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
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.
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
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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