The southern part of the city is hilly, rising gradually to the Kongō Range and Katsuragi Mountains.

Osaka Prefecture Tondabayashi has a Humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall.

Tondabayashi has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 18 members.

Tondabayashi collectively with the city of Ōsakasayama, and other municipalities of Minamikawachi District contributes two members to the Osaka Prefectural Assembly.

In terms of national politics, the city is part of Osaka 15th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.