Demo mode active: payments are running in test mode — no real charges will be made to your card. Testing gateway
Kuala Nerus
Terengganu, Malaysia
#1 in Malaysia
72
Overall Score
VS
Cincinnati
Ohio, USA
#54 in USA
70
Overall Score
Kuala Nerus scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Kuala Nerus
Cincinnati
Livability
74
70
Affordability
65
97
Business
68
72
Growth
70
68

Cost of Living

Kuala Nerus is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately 84% lower compared to Cincinnati. Housing costs are a major driver: Kuala Nerus's average rent is 100% lower than Cincinnati's.
MetricKuala NerusCincinnatiDiff
Average Rent
$0$1,410-100%
Groceries
$400$493-19%
Utilities
$0$178-100%
Transport
$0$120-100%
Healthcare
$0$250-100%
Monthly Total
$400$2,451-84%
Cost Index
103out of 100

Salary & Income

Cincinnati offers 100% lower average salaries.
MetricKuala NerusCincinnati
Average Salary
$0$79,000
Salary Needed
$0$55,000

Climate Comparison

Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
MetricKuala NerusCincinnati
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%

Commute & Transport

Kuala Nerus has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly 11,000 minutes (183 hours) per year compared to Cincinnati. Cincinnati scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living. For walkability, Cincinnati leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
MetricKuala NerusCincinnati
Commute Time
min22 min
Transit Score
0.0/1040.0/10
Walkability
0.0/1049.0/10
Traffic Index
50.00
Car Dependency
MediumMedium

Economy & Demographics

Cincinnati is the larger city — approximately 0.5x the population of Kuala Nerus. 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.
MetricKuala NerusCincinnati
Population
161,134314,915
Pop. Growth
1.67%0.70%
Median Age
22.433.2
Unemployment
2.80%3.20%
GDP
$0.0B$0.0B

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.
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.

Kuala Nerus
#1
Terengganu, 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
View Full Profile
Cincinnati
#54
Ohio, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,410
Avg Salary
$79,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
40.0/10
Walkability
49.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
70
Business
72
View Full Profile

Calculate Your Cost Impact

Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Kuala Nerus and Cincinnati.

Open Cost Calculator