Performance
Score Breakdown
Kuala Nerus
Elyria
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Kuala Nerus is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
79% lower compared to Elyria.
Housing costs are a major driver: Kuala Nerus's average rent is
100% lower than Elyria's.
| Metric | Kuala Nerus | Elyria | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $917 | -100% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $0 | $249 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $120 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $125 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $400 | $1,861 | -79% |
| Cost Index | 94 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Elyria offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Kuala Nerus | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $30,516 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Kuala Nerus | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| 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
11,500 minutes (192 hours) per year compared to Elyria.
Elyria scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Elyria leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Kuala Nerus | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 13.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Kuala Nerus is the larger city
— approximately 3x the population of Elyria.
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 | Elyria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 161,134 | 53,634 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.67% | % |
| Median Age | 22.4 | 39.4 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 3.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
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.
Elyria
Advantages
The cost of living in Elyria is significantly lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Elyria boasts a high livability score and ample local amenities, including restaurants, grocery stores, and parks.
The city's crime rate is lower than the national average, contributing to a generally safe environment.
Housing in Elyria is notably affordable, with a median property value significantly below the national average.
Elyria offers a strong sense of community and a friendly, small-town atmosphere.
Drawbacks
The employment sector in Elyria has received a low grade, indicating challenges in the job market.
Public transportation options are limited, leading to high car dependency for most residents.
Some residents perceive a lack of nightlife and entertainment options for adults, describing the city as 'boring' for that demographic.
The city faces issues with road quality, including bad streets and potholes.
Shopping opportunities have been noted as dissipating from what was once a booming city.
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
Elyria
#16Ohio, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$917
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
94
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
13.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
75
Business
50
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