Performance
Score Breakdown
Kuala Nerus
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Kuala Nerus is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
82% lower compared to Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Kuala Nerus's average rent is
100% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Kuala Nerus | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $1,138 | -100% |
| Groceries | $400 | $404 | -1% |
| Utilities | $0 | $194 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $312 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $226 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $400 | $2,274 | -82% |
| Cost Index | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Kuala Nerus | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $45,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Kuala Nerus | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 85.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Kuala Nerus has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
8,000 minutes (133 hours) per year compared to Binghamton.
Binghamton scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Binghamton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Kuala Nerus | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 33.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Kuala Nerus is the larger city
— approximately 3.4x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Kuala Nerus is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Kuala Nerus has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Kuala Nerus | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 161,134 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.67% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 22.4 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Kuala Nerus
Advantages
Kuala Nerus recorded no murder or armed robbery cases for two consecutive years (2024-2025), indicating a high level of safety.
The median transacted property price in Kuala Nerus has decreased by 1.8% in the last 12 months (ending May 2026), potentially offering more affordable housing options.
Terengganu, including Kuala Nerus, recorded the highest population growth rate in Malaysia at 1.2% in 2026, suggesting a dynamic and expanding community.
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) boasts a 94.8% graduate employment rate in 2025, indicating strong educational and career prospects for students.
The cost of living, particularly for food and dining, is significantly lower than in major Malaysian cities, making daily expenses manageable.
Drawbacks
Commercial crime, especially online scams, increased by 53.25% in Terengganu from 2024 to 2025, posing a risk to residents.
Rape cases in Malaysia increased by 12.1% in 2024, with a notable surge in cases without force, indicating a concerning trend in sexual offenses.
While overall theft cases declined, it remains the highest contributor to crime in Terengganu.
The median age in Kuala Nerus was 22.4 years as of 2025, which is considerably lower than the national median age of 31.7 years in 2026, potentially indicating a younger workforce or a brain drain of older, more experienced workers.
Specific data on public transit infrastructure and walkability scores for Kuala Nerus are not readily available, suggesting a potential reliance on private transportation.
Binghamton
Advantages
The average commute time in Binghamton is relatively short at 16 minutes, offering more personal time.
Housing costs are generally lower than the national average, with a median home price of $194,000 as of December 2025.
The presence of Binghamton University provides a vibrant cultural scene and educational opportunities.
The city's economy is diversifying with growth in healthcare, education, and advanced manufacturing sectors.
Binghamton offers access to natural landscapes and outdoor recreational activities due to its river confluence and surrounding hills.
Drawbacks
Binghamton has a high crime rate, with total crime being 86% higher than the national average based on 2024 FBI data.
The unemployment rate in Binghamton was 4.3% in 2026, slightly higher than the national average.
Public transportation options are limited, as indicated by a Transit Score of 33 for Downtown Binghamton.
Despite some positive economic indicators, the Binghamton metro area experienced a 2.8% population decrease over a 10-year period leading up to 2024.
Drug-related crime remains a significant concern in the Binghamton area, despite a decrease in overdose rates.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Kuala Nerus
#1Terengganu, Malaysia
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
Commute
min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.67%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
74
Business
68
Binghamton
#98New York, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,138
Avg Salary
$55,000
Cost Index
110
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
33.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
68
Business
60
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