City Comparison
Cherang Ruku vs Aiken
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Cherang Ruku scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Cherang Ruku
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cherang Ruku is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
75% lower than in Aiken.
Housing costs are a major driver: Cherang Ruku's average rent is
82% lower than Aiken's.
| Metric | Cherang Ruku | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $250 | $1,400 | -82% |
| Groceries | $180 | $400 | -55% |
| Utilities | $50 | $236 | -79% |
| Transport | $70 | $120 | -42% |
| Healthcare | $40 | $250 | -84% |
| Monthly Total | $590 | $2,406 | -75% |
| Cost Index | 42 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aiken offers 89% 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 Cherang Ruku is estimated at
$6,000 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Cherang Ruku | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $7,200 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $6,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 17,143 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $9,500 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Cherang Ruku runs warmer on average — a 81°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Cherang Ruku comes out ahead with 105 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Cherang Ruku sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Cherang Ruku | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 81.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 89.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 73.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 111.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 105 | |
| Humidity | 82.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Aiken scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Cherang Ruku | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 55.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Aiken is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Cherang Ruku.
From a growth perspective, Aiken is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Aiken has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Cherang Ruku | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,500 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Cherang Ruku
Advantages
Extremely affordable cost of living and housing compared to Malaysia's major urban centers.
Strong community safety with a low violent crime rate and tight-knit village networks.
Proximity to beautiful, uncrowded coastline and scenic beaches along the South China Sea.
Rich cultural heritage offering authentic Kelantanese traditions, arts, and culinary experiences.
Clean environment with minimal traffic congestion and fresh coastal air.
Drawbacks
Limited local corporate job market and career advancement opportunities.
Heavy reliance on private vehicles due to the absence of robust public transit infrastructure.
Absence of modern entertainment venues, nightlife, and large shopping malls.
Requirement to travel to neighboring towns for specialized healthcare and advanced medical services.
Hot and humid tropical climate year-round with heavy seasonal monsoon rainfall.
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Cherang Ruku
#27Kelantan, Malaysia
79.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$250
Avg Salary
$7,200
Cost Index
42
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
105/yr
Avg Temp
81.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
70
Business
52
Aiken
#322South 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
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