City Comparison
Kuantan vs Syracuse
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Kuantan scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Kuantan
Syracuse
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Kuantan is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
76% lower than in Syracuse.
Housing costs are a major driver: Kuantan's average rent is
85% lower than Syracuse's.
| Metric | Kuantan | Syracuse | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $235 | $1,546 | -85% |
| Groceries | $240 | $450 | -47% |
| Utilities | $60 | $327 | -82% |
| Transport | $30 | $120 | -75% |
| Healthcare | $50 | $150 | -67% |
| Monthly Total | $615 | $2,593 | -76% |
| Cost Index | 45 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Syracuse offers 80% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Syracuse delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Kuantan is estimated at
$8,000 vs $75,000 in Syracuse.
| Metric | Kuantan | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $11,796 | $58,525 |
| Salary Needed | $8,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 26,213 idx | 56,820 idx |
| Household Income | $23,929 | $47,819 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Kuantan runs warmer on average — a 80.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Kuantan comes out ahead with 94 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Kuantan sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Kuantan | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 80.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 88.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 73.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 105.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 94 | |
| Humidity | 84.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Syracuse has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Kuantan.
Syracuse scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Syracuse leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Kuantan | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 50.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Kuantan is the larger city
— approximately 3.9x the population of Syracuse.
From a growth perspective, Kuantan is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Kuantan has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Kuantan | Syracuse |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 583,223 | 147,822 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.04% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 32.0 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 2.00% | 5.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Kuantan
Advantages
Affordable cost of living compared to major Malaysian cities and international standards.
Strong industrial growth and job creation, particularly in manufacturing, petrochemicals, and logistics due to MCKIP and Kuantan Port.
Improving infrastructure with projects like the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) enhancing connectivity.
Relatively low unemployment rate in Pahang, recorded at 1.9% in Q1 2026.
Access to natural attractions like beaches and waterfalls, contributing to tourism and quality of life.
Drawbacks
Limited public transportation network and high car dependency, leading to potential traffic congestion.
High humidity levels experienced throughout most of the year.
Risk of heavy flooding during the monsoon season, typically from October to February.
English fluency can be inconsistent outside of business contexts, potentially posing a language barrier for some expatriates.
Bureaucracy for long-stay visas and other administrative processes can be slow and document-heavy.
Syracuse
Advantages
Syracuse offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to other major cities in New York State.
The city has a growing job market, particularly in healthcare, education, and advanced manufacturing, with significant projects like Micron's semiconductor facility boosting employment opportunities.
Syracuse is home to strong educational institutions, including Syracuse University and SUNY Upstate Medical University, contributing to a vibrant and educated community.
The city boasts a good safety profile, with a violent crime rate significantly below the national average.
Residents benefit from manageable commute times, averaging around 18 minutes.
Drawbacks
Syracuse experiences severe and snowy winters, with heavy annual snowfall.
The city has a higher cost of living than the national average, particularly concerning housing expenses.
Public transportation can be unreliable, contributing to a medium car dependency for residents.
Some areas of the city face challenges with crime and poverty.
Utility costs, especially for heating, can be high due to long, cold winters.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Kuantan
#2Pahang, Malaysia
85.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$235
Avg Salary
$11,796
Cost Index
45
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
94/yr
Avg Temp
80.70°F
Pop. Growth
1.04%
Unemployment
2.00%
Livability
70
Business
75
Syracuse
#361New York, USA
59.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,546
Avg Salary
$58,525
Cost Index
103
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
57.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
5.10%
Livability
70
Business
70
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