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Serian vs Cincinnati

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

Sarawak, Malaysia
View Serian profile
#7 in Malaysia
83
Overall Score
VS
Ohio, USA
View Cincinnati profile
#501 in USA
53
Overall Score
Serian scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Serian
Cincinnati
Livability
76
70
Affordability
85
97
Business
62
72
Growth
71
68

Cost of Living

Serian is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about 66% lower than in Cincinnati. Housing costs are a major driver: Serian's average rent is 75% lower than Cincinnati's.
MetricSerianCincinnatiDiff
Average Rent
$350$1,410-75%
Groceries
$250$493-49%
Utilities
$75$178-58%
Transport
$90$120-25%
Healthcare
$60$250-76%
Monthly Total
$825$2,451-66%
Cost Index
52103out of 100

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 Serian is estimated at $7,500 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
MetricSerianCincinnati
Average Salary
$9,500$79,000
Salary Needed
$7,500$55,000
Purchasing Power
18,269 idx76,699 idx
Household Income
$12,500$52,909

Climate Comparison

Serian runs warmer on average — a 79.3°F difference year-round. For sunshine, Serian comes out ahead with 67 more sunny days per year, which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle. Winter severity differs too — Serian sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
MetricSerianCincinnati
Avg Temp
79.30°F°F
Summer High
86.60°F°F
Winter Low
72.80°F°F
Rainfall
139.00 in in
Snowfall
0.00 in in
Sunny Days
67
Humidity
85.00%70.00%

Commute & Transport

Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly 1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Serian. Serian scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living. For walkability, Serian leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
MetricSerianCincinnati
Commute Time
25 min22 min
Transit Score
45.0/10040.0/100
Walkability
62.0/10049.0/100
Traffic Index
38.0050.00
Car Dependency
HighMedium

Economy & Demographics

Cincinnati is the larger city — approximately 0.3x the population of Serian. From a growth perspective, Serian 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.
MetricSerianCincinnati
Population
105,100314,915
Pop. Growth
1.50%0.70%
Median Age
33.033.2
Unemployment
3.50%3.20%
GDP
——

Pros & Cons

Serian
Advantages
Cost of living and housing prices remain substantially lower than national urban averages per Department of Statistics Malaysia.
Strategic location along the Pan Borneo Highway provides seamless connectivity to Kuching and surrounding regions.
Rich multicultural heritage and vibrant local markets offering renowned Bornean produce and cuisine.
Low crime rate and strong community safety profile ideal for families and retirees.
Proximity to pristine natural attractions, waterfalls, and eco-tourism sites including the famous durian orchards.
Drawbacks
Reliance on major medical facilities in Kuching for advanced or specialized healthcare treatments.
Limited public transportation infrastructure outside of main highway bus routes and regional taxis.
Job market is relatively concentrated in public administration and agriculture, offering fewer corporate career paths.
High seasonal rainfall can occasionally impact outdoor activities and local rural transport routes.
Limited high-end entertainment, nightlife, and cultural venues compared to larger urban centers.
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.

Serian
#7
Sarawak, Malaysia
83.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$350
Avg Salary
$9,500
Cost Index
52
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
67/yr
Avg Temp
79.30°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
76
Business
62
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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