Performance
Score Breakdown
Kuala Nerus
Pasir Panjang
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Kuala Nerus is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
49% lower compared to Pasir Panjang.
Housing costs are a major driver: Kuala Nerus's average rent is
100% lower than Pasir Panjang's.
| Metric | Kuala Nerus | Pasir Panjang | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $300 | -100% |
| Groceries | $400 | $232 | +72% |
| Utilities | $0 | $89 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $150 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $20 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $400 | $791 | -49% |
| Cost Index | 45 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Pasir Panjang offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Kuala Nerus | Pasir Panjang |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $8,211 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $18,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Kuala Nerus | Pasir Panjang |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 85.00% | 80.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Kuala Nerus has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
15,000 minutes (250 hours) per year compared to Pasir Panjang.
Pasir Panjang scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Pasir Panjang leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Kuala Nerus | Pasir Panjang |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Kuala Nerus is the larger city
— approximately 8.1x the population of Pasir Panjang.
From a growth perspective, Pasir Panjang is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Pasir Panjang has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Kuala Nerus | Pasir Panjang |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 161,134 | 20,000 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.67% | 1.90% |
| Median Age | 22.4 | 31.4 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 2.40% |
| 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.
Pasir Panjang
Advantages
Offers a peaceful and tranquil environment away from urban bustle.
Proximity to Port Dickson's popular beaches for recreation and tourism.
Access to affordable and high-quality healthcare services in the broader Negeri Sembilan region.
Lower cost of living compared to major Malaysian cities.
Rich local culinary scene with authentic Negeri Sembilan flavors.
Drawbacks
Limited public transportation options, necessitating reliance on private vehicles.
Scarcity of specific economic and demographic data for detailed planning.
Fewer high-skilled job opportunities compared to larger economic centers.
Potential for limited entertainment and modern amenities compared to urban areas.
Humidity levels are consistently high year-round.
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
Pasir Panjang
#4Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$300
Avg Salary
$8,211
Cost Index
45
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
45.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.90%
Unemployment
2.40%
Livability
72
Business
60
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Kuala Nerus and Pasir Panjang.
Open Cost Calculator