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Bayan Lepas vs Cincinnati

Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.

Penang (Pulau Pinang), Malaysia
View Bayan Lepas profile
#4 in Malaysia
84
Overall Score
VS
Ohio, USA
View Cincinnati profile
#501 in USA
53
Overall Score
Bayan Lepas scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Bayan Lepas
Cincinnati
Livability
77
70
Affordability
75
97
Business
82
72
Growth
79
68

Cost of Living

Bayan Lepas is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about 40% lower than in Cincinnati. Housing costs are a major driver: Bayan Lepas's average rent is 40% lower than Cincinnati's.
MetricBayan LepasCincinnatiDiff
Average Rent
$850$1,410-40%
Groceries
$300$493-39%
Utilities
$110$178-38%
Transport
$90$120-25%
Healthcare
$120$250-52%
Monthly Total
$1,470$2,451-40%
Cost Index
52103out of 100

Salary & Income

Cincinnati offers 70% 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 Bayan Lepas is estimated at $19,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
MetricBayan LepasCincinnati
Average Salary
$24,000$79,000
Salary Needed
$19,000$55,000
Purchasing Power
46,154 idx76,699 idx
Household Income
$28,000$52,909

Climate Comparison

Bayan Lepas runs warmer on average — a 81.5°F difference year-round. For sunshine, Bayan Lepas comes out ahead with 114 more sunny days per year, which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle. Winter severity differs too — Bayan Lepas sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
MetricBayan LepasCincinnati
Avg Temp
81.50°F°F
Summer High
87.10°F°F
Winter Low
75.80°F°F
Rainfall
113.30 in in
Snowfall
0.00 in in
Sunny Days
114
Humidity
80.00%70.00%

Commute & Transport

Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly 5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Bayan Lepas. Bayan Lepas scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living. For walkability, Bayan Lepas leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
MetricBayan LepasCincinnati
Commute Time
32 min22 min
Transit Score
48.0/10040.0/100
Walkability
55.0/10049.0/100
Traffic Index
65.0050.00
Car Dependency
HighMedium

Economy & Demographics

Cincinnati is the larger city — approximately 0.5x the population of Bayan Lepas. From a growth perspective, Bayan Lepas is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services. On the employment side, Bayan Lepas has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
MetricBayan LepasCincinnati
Population
150,000314,915
Pop. Growth
1.50%0.70%
Median Age
34.033.2
Unemployment
2.80%3.20%
GDP
——

Pros & Cons

Bayan Lepas
Advantages
High concentration of multinational technology and semiconductor employers providing robust career growth in engineering and tech fields.
World-renowned culinary scene with accessible hawker centers and diverse international dining options across the district.
Proximity to the Penang International Airport, facilitating seamless regional and international travel for business and leisure.
Access to high-quality private healthcare facilities and medical centers with internationally accredited professionals.
Dynamic and cosmopolitan community combining modern urban infrastructure with rich Penang cultural heritage.
Drawbacks
Heavy traffic congestion during peak commuting hours around the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone and major expressways.
Rising housing and rental costs driven by limited island land supply and high demand from tech sector professionals.
High car dependency in certain industrial and residential sectors where pedestrian infrastructure is limited.
Warm and humid tropical climate year-round with significant seasonal rainfall requiring adaptation for outdoor activities.
Competitive rental and property purchasing market for mid-to-high-tier developments near commercial hubs.
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.

Dive Deeper

Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.

Bayan Lepas
#4
Penang (Pulau Pinang), Malaysia
83.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$24,000
Cost Index
52
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
114/yr
Avg Temp
81.50°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
77
Business
82
View Full Profile
Cincinnati
#501
Ohio, 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
View Full Profile

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