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Batu Berendam vs Aiken

Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.

Malacca (Melaka), Malaysia
View Batu Berendam profile
#11 in Malaysia
82
Overall Score
VS
South Carolina, USA
View Aiken profile
#322 in USA
61
Overall Score
Batu Berendam scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Batu Berendam
Aiken
Livability
74
72
Affordability
88
85
Business
75
65
Growth
72
68

Cost of Living

Batu Berendam is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about 65% lower than in Aiken. Housing costs are a major driver: Batu Berendam's average rent is 73% lower than Aiken's.
MetricBatu BerendamAikenDiff
Average Rent
$380$1,400-73%
Groceries
$220$400-45%
Utilities
$75$236-68%
Transport
$70$120-42%
Healthcare
$90$250-64%
Monthly Total
$835$2,406-65%
Cost Index
4489out of 100

Salary & Income

Aiken offers 80% lower average salaries. However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Aiken delivers stronger purchasing power — meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day. The minimum comfortable salary in Batu Berendam is estimated at $10,500 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
MetricBatu BerendamAiken
Average Salary
$13,500$65,884
Salary Needed
$10,500$55,000
Purchasing Power
30,682 idx74,027 idx
Household Income
$15,000$76,746

Climate Comparison

Batu Berendam runs warmer on average — a 81.4°F difference year-round. For sunshine, Batu Berendam comes out ahead with 117 more sunny days per year, which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle. Winter severity differs too — Batu Berendam sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
MetricBatu BerendamAiken
Avg Temp
81.40°F°F
Summer High
88.70°F°F
Winter Low
73.70°F°F
Rainfall
93.30 in in
Snowfall
0.00 in in
Sunny Days
117
Humidity
82.00%70.00%

Commute & Transport

Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other. Batu Berendam scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living. For walkability, Aiken leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
MetricBatu BerendamAiken
Commute Time
22 min24 min
Transit Score
42.0/10035.0/100
Walkability
52.0/10055.0/100
Traffic Index
42.0045.00
Car Dependency
HighHigh

Economy & Demographics

Batu Berendam is the larger city — approximately 1.4x the population of Aiken. From a growth perspective, Batu Berendam is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
MetricBatu BerendamAiken
Population
45,00033,306
Pop. Growth
1.40%1.20%
Median Age
35.046.6
Unemployment
3.40%3.40%
GDP
——

Pros & Cons

Batu Berendam
Advantages
Strategic location in Melaka Tengah with proximity to industrial parks, manufacturing hubs, and Melaka International Airport.
Significantly lower cost of living and housing prices compared to major metropolitan hubs like Kuala Lumpur.
Robust and stable job market driven by multinational electronics, semiconductor, and aerospace companies.
High safety profile with peaceful residential neighborhoods and active community policing.
Rich cultural diversity offering exceptional local cuisine and vibrant community festivities.
Drawbacks
High humidity and heavy annual rainfall averaging 93.3 inches per year, requiring adaptation to tropical downpours.
Strong car dependency with limited high-frequency rail public transit options within the township.
Traffic congestion during peak shift changes near major industrial manufacturing plants.
Limited high-end entertainment and nightlife options compared to central Malacca city or Kuala Lumpur.
Warm tropical climate year-round with minimal seasonal temperature variation for those preferring cooler weather.
Aiken
Advantages
The cost of living in Aiken is approximately 11% lower than the national average.
Aiken boasts a higher homeownership rate of 68.1% as of 2024.
The city offers a mild climate with ample opportunities for outdoor activities and a vibrant downtown.
Aiken County's unemployment rate of 3.4% in April 2026 is lower than the national average.
The average commute time of 24 minutes is considered manageable.
Drawbacks
Aiken's transportation system is largely car-dependent, with limited public transit options.
The city's safety index of 30 suggests a higher crime rate compared to national benchmarks.
Aiken County's poverty rate of 14.3% is higher than the national average of 12.5%.
While the downtown is walkable, the city overall has a lower walkability score due to car dependency.
Some utility costs are reported to be slightly higher than the national average.

Dive Deeper

Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.

Batu Berendam
#11
Malacca (Melaka), Malaysia
81.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$380
Avg Salary
$13,500
Cost Index
44
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
117/yr
Avg Temp
81.40°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
74
Business
75
View Full Profile
Aiken
#322
South Carolina, USA
60.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,400
Avg Salary
$65,884
Cost Index
89
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
72
Business
65
View Full Profile

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