City Comparison
Umbai vs Aiken
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Umbai scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Umbai
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Umbai is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
61% lower than in Aiken.
Housing costs are a major driver: Umbai's average rent is
68% lower than Aiken's.
| Metric | Umbai | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $450 | $1,400 | -68% |
| Groceries | $250 | $400 | -38% |
| Utilities | $80 | $236 | -66% |
| Transport | $100 | $120 | -17% |
| Healthcare | $60 | $250 | -76% |
| Monthly Total | $940 | $2,406 | -61% |
| Cost Index | 42 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aiken offers 83% 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 Umbai is estimated at
$9,500 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | Umbai | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $11,000 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $9,500 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 26,190 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $14,000 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Umbai runs warmer on average — a 81.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Umbai comes out ahead with 118 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Umbai sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Umbai | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 81.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 88.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 74.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 93.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 118 | |
| Humidity | 82.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Aiken has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Umbai.
For walkability, Aiken leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Umbai | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Aiken is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Umbai.
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 | Umbai | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,500 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 36.0 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Umbai
Advantages
Significantly lower cost of living and housing compared to Kuala Lumpur and central Melaka City per Department of Statistics Malaysia.
Renowned culinary destination offering daily access to exceptionally fresh and affordable local seafood.
Peaceful, low-density coastal environment providing high personal safety and strong community cohesion.
Strategic proximity to historical Melaka City, offering cultural amenities within a 30-minute drive.
Clean air and natural coastal scenery along the Straits of Malacca.
Drawbacks
High reliance on private vehicles due to limited public transportation infrastructure in rural mukims.
Limited local high-paying job opportunities, requiring commutes to Melaka City or industrial zones.
Scarcity of modern rental apartment complexes or diverse housing options directly within the village.
Vulnerability to seasonal monsoon weather and coastal weather patterns affecting outdoor activities.
Limited local entertainment, nightlife, and large retail shopping options within walking distance.
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.
Umbai
#20Malacca (Melaka), Malaysia
80.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$450
Avg Salary
$11,000
Cost Index
42
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
118/yr
Avg Temp
81.60°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
75
Business
62
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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