Performance
Score Breakdown
Kuala Nerus
Ponca City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Kuala Nerus is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
80% lower compared to Ponca City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Kuala Nerus's average rent is
100% lower than Ponca City's.
| Metric | Kuala Nerus | Ponca City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $800 | -100% |
| Groceries | $400 | $649 | -38% |
| Utilities | $0 | $208 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $186 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $139 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $400 | $1,982 | -80% |
| Cost Index | 83 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Ponca City offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Kuala Nerus | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $32,704 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $52,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Kuala Nerus | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 85.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Kuala Nerus has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
8,000 minutes (133 hours) per year compared to Ponca City.
Ponca City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Ponca City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Kuala Nerus | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Kuala Nerus is the larger city
— approximately 6.7x the population of Ponca City.
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 | Ponca City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 161,134 | 24,221 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.67% | % |
| Median Age | 22.4 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 4.20% |
| 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.
Ponca City
Advantages
The cost of living in Ponca City is 17.4% lower than the national average, making it highly affordable.
Housing expenses are significantly lower, approximately 30.8% less expensive than the national average.
The average commute time is relatively short at 15.7 minutes.
Ponca City has a strong presence of manufacturing, agriculture, and energy industries, providing diverse employment opportunities.
The city offers a temperate climate with distinct seasonal changes, suitable for various outdoor activities.
Drawbacks
Ponca City has a higher crime rate than the national average, with an overall safety grade of D+.
The city has experienced a slight population decline, with a projected annual rate of -0.02% in 2026.
Employment in Ponca City saw a decline of -0.508% from 2023 to 2024.
Public transportation options are limited, and the city is highly car-dependent.
The poverty rate in Ponca City is 17.95%, which is higher than the national average.
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
Ponca City
#124Oklahoma, USA
60.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$800
Avg Salary
$32,704
Cost Index
83
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
30.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
60
Business
65
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