City Comparison
Tenom vs Dallas
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Tenom scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Tenom
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Tenom is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
69% lower than in Dallas.
Housing costs are a major driver: Tenom's average rent is
75% lower than Dallas's.
| Metric | Tenom | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $350 | $1,412 | -75% |
| Groceries | $200 | $450 | -56% |
| Utilities | $70 | $281 | -75% |
| Transport | $80 | $126 | -37% |
| Healthcare | $50 | $135 | -63% |
| Monthly Total | $750 | $2,404 | -69% |
| Cost Index | 45 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dallas offers 84% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Dallas delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Tenom is estimated at
$8,000 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Tenom | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $9,500 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $8,000 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 21,111 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $11,000 | $70,518 |
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 | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Tenom has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Dallas.
Dallas 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 | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
.
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 | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,500 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.30% |
| 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
Dallas
Advantages
Violent crime in Dallas dropped by 12% in 2025, indicating an improving safety landscape.
The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is a leader in economic growth, ranking highly for job creation and business investment.
Dallas is recognized as a top city for dining out, offering affordable options for mid-range meals.
Texas has no state income tax, which can lead to higher take-home pay for residents.
The city boasts a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem, ranking 27th globally for startups in 2026.
Drawbacks
Property crime remains a significant challenge in Dallas, particularly in certain neighborhoods.
Utility costs in Dallas are higher than the national average, primarily due to electricity expenses.
Dallas experiences notable traffic congestion, with commuters spending considerable time in traffic.
Despite overall metro growth, the city of Dallas experienced a slight population decline in 2025.
While public transit exists, high car dependency is a reality for navigating the sprawling Dallas-Fort Worth area.
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
Dallas
#525Texas, USA
50.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,412
Avg Salary
$60,900
Cost Index
101
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.52%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
80
Business
88
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