City Comparison
Kuantan vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Kuantan scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Kuantan
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Kuantan is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
75% lower than in Cincinnati.
Housing costs are a major driver: Kuantan's average rent is
83% lower than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Kuantan | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $235 | $1,410 | -83% |
| Groceries | $240 | $493 | -51% |
| Utilities | $60 | $178 | -66% |
| Transport | $30 | $120 | -75% |
| Healthcare | $50 | $250 | -80% |
| Monthly Total | $615 | $2,451 | -75% |
| Cost Index | 45 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 85% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Cincinnati delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Kuantan is estimated at
$8,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Kuantan | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $11,796 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $8,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 26,213 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $23,929 | $52,909 |
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 | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Cincinnati has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Kuantan.
Cincinnati scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Kuantan leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Kuantan | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 50.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Kuantan is the larger city
— approximately 1.9x the population of Cincinnati.
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 | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 583,223 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.04% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 32.0 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 2.00% | 3.20% |
| 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.
Cincinnati
Advantages
The cost of living in Cincinnati is 3% lower than the national average, making it more affordable than many major U.S. cities.
Cincinnati boasts a diverse and growing economy, with strong sectors in healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services.
The city offers a vibrant arts and culture scene, including museums, theaters, and a symphony orchestra.
Several neighborhoods, such as Over-The-Rhine and the Central Business District, are highly walkable, with Walk Scores of 94 and 92 respectively.
The median property value in Cincinnati was $230,900 in 2024, significantly lower than the national average, making homeownership more accessible.
Drawbacks
While some areas are highly walkable, the city's overall Walk Score of 49 indicates a car-dependent environment for most errands.
Public transportation, while available, is not considered the most dependable, often necessitating a personal vehicle.
The city's poverty rate was 25.5% in 2024, which is higher than the national average.
Cincinnati experiences extreme seasonal variations in humidity, with muggy summers and very cold, snowy winters.
The average commute time in the Cincinnati metropolitan area was 2 hours daily in 2023, which is relatively long compared to some other cities.
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
Cincinnati
#501Ohio, USA
52.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,410
Avg Salary
$79,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
49.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
70
Business
72
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