Keningau vs. Şūr: Detailed 2026 Cost of Living & Quality Comparison

Keningau, Malaysia, and Şūr, Oman, present contrasting profiles for the year 2026. Keningau, with a population of around 173,130, boasts a higher GDP per capita ($32,800) than Şūr's ($38,300). However, Şūr's economy is projected to grow faster (1.31%) compared to Keningau's (3.56%), while Keningau's population is expanding more rapidly (0.99% vs. Şūr's 1.75%). This initial snapshot suggests differing economic paces and scales, with Keningau appearing wealthier per person but Şūr showing faster expansion.

The economic data reveals a complex picture. Şūr's higher GDP per capita contrasts sharply with Keningau's lack of specific salary figures. While Şūr's average net salary after tax is $2,687.47, significantly lower than its GDP per capita, Keningau's data only provides the aggregate figure. Housing data is even more skewed; Şūr offers detailed apartment prices and rents ($572.17-$520.16 per sqm and $260.08-$474.64 for 1-3 bed apartments), whereas Keningau provides no comparable figures, making a direct comparison impossible without further information.

Assessing quality of life and costs paints a different picture. Basic goods and services are generally cheaper in Keningau, with an inexpensive restaurant meal averaging $2.80 compared to Şūr's $3.90, and daily groceries costing less in Keningau (though limited data). However, transportation costs are substantially lower in Keningau, with a taxi ride per km at $0.51 versus Şūr's $2.60, and gasoline slightly cheaper ($0.52 vs. $0.55). Utilities cost $169.55 per month in Şūr, a figure not available for Keningau, but Şūr provides more comprehensive data on childcare and leisure, areas where Keningau's information is sparse.

Investment and career prospects also differ, with Şūr offering clearer figures. Its annual mortgage interest rate is 5.25%, and property prices vary significantly ($118.22-$234.73), reflecting diverse investment potential within Oman. Keningau lacks comparable data on mortgage rates or detailed property price variations. Şūr's higher population growth rate might suggest stronger demand for services, but its slower economic expansion (1.31% vs. Keningau's 3.56%) could temper long-term investment prospects, while Keningau's higher GDP growth hints at potentially stronger underlying economic performance.

Direct comparison between Keningau and Şūr is hampered by significant data limitations, particularly for Keningau regarding salaries, housing costs, and detailed quality-of-life metrics beyond basic food and transport. While Şūr offers a more complete dataset, its higher costs for most goods and services, including utilities, transportation, and property, suggest a potentially higher standard of living expense. Keningau appears cheaper for certain basics like restaurant meals, but its own data doesn't fully substantiate this across the board. The differing economic fundamentals, growth rates, and data availability mean a definitive ranking is impossible without more localized information for Keningau.