City Comparison
Tenom vs Swartz Creek
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Tenom scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Tenom
Swartz Creek
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Tenom is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
65% lower than in Swartz Creek.
Housing costs are a major driver: Tenom's average rent is
72% lower than Swartz Creek's.
| Metric | Tenom | Swartz Creek | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $350 | $1,250 | -72% |
| Groceries | $200 | $380 | -47% |
| Utilities | $70 | $175 | -60% |
| Transport | $80 | $110 | -27% |
| Healthcare | $50 | $230 | -78% |
| Monthly Total | $750 | $2,145 | -65% |
| Cost Index | 45 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Swartz Creek offers 85% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Swartz Creek delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Tenom is estimated at
$8,000 vs $48,000 in Swartz Creek.
| Metric | Tenom | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $9,500 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $8,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 21,111 idx | 67,391 idx |
| Household Income | $11,000 | $64,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Tenom runs warmer on average — a 30.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Swartz Creek comes out ahead with 136 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Swartz Creek sees 33.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Tenom | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 79.20°F | 48.70°F |
| Summer High | 86.90°F | 80.20°F |
| Winter Low | 72.20°F | 16.50°F |
| Rainfall | 100.40 in | 30.20 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 33.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 115 | 251 |
| Humidity | 82.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Tenom has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Swartz Creek.
For walkability, Tenom leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Tenom | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tenom is the larger city
— approximately 4.5x the population of Swartz Creek.
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 | Swartz Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,500 | 5,700 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 41.2 |
| 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
Swartz Creek
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain significantly below the national average per US Census Bureau data.
Consistently low crime rates provide an exceptionally safe environment for families and retirees.
Highly rated local school district offering robust academic and extracurricular programs.
Convenient geographic location with direct access to I-69, facilitating easy commutes to Flint and Lansing.
Active community parks and recreational programming that foster strong local engagement.
Drawbacks
High reliance on personal automobiles due to limited public transportation infrastructure.
Fewer high-paying local corporate headquarters within city limits, requiring outbound commuting for certain professional sectors.
Limited nightlife and entertainment venues directly within the city center.
Winters bring heavy snowfall averaging over 33 inches, requiring consistent snow removal efforts.
Modest pace of new commercial development compared to larger surrounding suburbs.
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
Swartz Creek
#146Michigan, USA
65.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
251/yr
Avg Temp
48.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
78
Business
68
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