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Ketereh, Kelantan

Malaysia · Comprehensive city data and intelligence

77
Overall Score

Ketereh is a traditional town and parliamentary constituency located in the state of Kelantan, Malaysia. Known for its rich Kelantanese cultural heritage, bustling local markets, and agrarian roots, it offers a quieter, community-centered lifestyle distinct from the fast-paced urban centers on Malaysia's western coast. Residents and visitors are often drawn to Ketereh for its authentic local traditions, warm community atmosphere, and slower pace of life.

About Kelantan

Kelantan, located in northeastern Peninsular Malaysia, is known as the "cradle of Malay culture" due to its strong preservation of Malay traditions, arts like batik and woodcarving, and a distinct local dialect. Its economy is primarily agrarian, with major industries including rice, rubber, and tobacco cultivation, fishing, and traditional handicraft production, though tourism and the services sector are growing in importance. Living in Kelantan generally offers a lower cost of living compared to other parts of Malaysia, and the climate is tropical with consistent warmth and humidity year-round, experiencing a wet monsoon season from November to January. The lifestyle is largely rural and traditional, emphasizing community life and cultural heritage.

85,000
Population
$8K
Avg Salary
38
Cost Index
77.1
Quality Score
How this 77/100 was calculated five components, with every reading behind them
Component Readings used Points Weight Contributes
Safety Safety score: 78 / 100 78.0 30% 23.4
Affordability Cost of living index (100 = national baseline): 38.0 100.0 25% 25.0
Economy & jobs Median household income: $8,200 Income needed to live here: $6,000 Unemployment rate: 4% 72.9 20% 14.6
Growth Population growth rate: 1.1% Job growth rate: 1.8% 54.3 15% 8.1
Business climate assessment Business climate assessment: 60 / 100 60.0 10% 6.0
Overall score 77.1

Provenance. These figures were produced by the research pass recorded as Tier 2 (reasoned) (q=54, partial — below threshold), last refreshed 16 October 2026. They are researched estimates drawn from public sources, not a licensed data feed.

Each component is scored against fixed published endpoints, so this number is comparable with any other city and does not move as the dataset grows. Scoring framework 2026.10 — full methodology, weights and accepted ranges.

Businesses in Ketereh

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Quality Scores

Business
60
Livability
72
Affordability
85
Growth
65

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Ketereh is significantly lower than national urban averages, making it an exceptionally budget-friendly place to reside. Everyday expenses are kept minimal by affordable local housing options, traditional open-air markets offering inexpensive fresh produce, and modest dining costs at local eateries. While imported goods and private vehicle ownership carry standard national costs, day-to-day necessities remain remarkably economical.

Average Rent
$250/mo
Groceries
$200/mo
Transport
$70/mo
Utilities
$65/mo
Healthcare
$60/mo
Gym membership (monthly)
$25.00
Cinema ticket
$5.00
Restaurant meal (mid-range)
$4.00
Monthly groceries
$180.00
Doctor visit (without insurance)
$15.00

Salary Insights

The local economy of Ketereh is primarily driven by agriculture, wholesale and retail trade, and public sector employment including education and local administration. Major economic activities center around traditional farming, small-scale businesses, and local cooperatives that support the regional supply chain. While corporate remote work infrastructure and high-tech industries are sparse locally, proximity to Kota Bharu expands broader employment and commercial opportunities.

The average salary in Ketereh is $7,500 per year. You would need approximately $6,000 to live comfortably.

Top Industries

Wholesale & Retail Trade +2.10% Public Administration & Education +1.50% Construction & Real Estate +2.80% Food & Beverage Services +2.30% Agriculture & Padi Farming +1.20%

Climate

🌡️
27°C
Avg Temp
☀️
32°C
Summer High
❄️
22°C
Winter Low
🌧️
133.40"
Annual Rain
💧
82.00%
Humidity
🌤️
106
Sunny Days

Transport

Getting around Ketereh relies predominantly on personal vehicles, cars, and motorcycles, as formal rail networks and extensive public transit options are limited. Walkability is moderate within the immediate commercial center, but broader commutes and travel require driving. Traffic congestion is generally minimal outside of peak market hours and festive holiday periods.

22 min
Avg Commute
35.00/10
Transit Score
48.00/10
Walkability
High
Car Dependency

Pros & Cons

Advantages
Housing and rental costs are significantly lower than Malaysia's national urban averages per DOSM data.
Rich cultural heritage featuring authentic Kelantanese traditions, food, and bustling local markets.
Tight-knit, peaceful community atmosphere with very low violent crime rates.
Surrounded by scenic agricultural landscapes and traditional rural scenery.
Proximity to Kota Bharu provides convenient access to broader regional amenities and commerce.
Drawbacks
High dependency on personal vehicles and motorcycles due to limited public transit infrastructure.
Lower average local salaries compared to Malaysia's western coast economic hubs.
Limited high-tech job market or corporate remote work infrastructure locally.
Hot and humid tropical climate year-round with heavy seasonal monsoon rainfall.
Fewer high-end entertainment, shopping, and specialized dining options within the town limits.

Questions about Ketereh

What people ask about living in and moving to Ketereh, Kelantan.

Gathering the most common questions about Ketereh…

Frequently Asked Questions

The consumer market basket tracks everyday necessities, including staple grocery items (such as milk, bread, eggs, and produce), residential energy bills (electricity, gas, and water), public and private transit costs, routine outpatient medical care, and standard consumer goods and services to ensure a representative monthly budget.

Even in close geographic proximity, local tax jurisdictions, municipal utility rates, zoning laws, and micro-housing markets can create wide cost discrepancies. For example, a city with strict land-use regulations or higher local sales taxes will typically exhibit elevated housing and consumer goods costs compared to an adjacent county with looser zoning and lower tax burdens.

Even in close geographic proximity, local tax jurisdictions, municipal utility rates, zoning laws, and micro-housing markets can create wide cost discrepancies. For example, a city with strict land-use regulations or higher local sales taxes will typically exhibit elevated housing and consumer goods costs compared to an adjacent county with looser zoning and lower tax burdens.

Local tax climates significantly shift a city's affordability score by directly affecting disposable income. Urblytica factors in state income tax brackets, local municipal property tax millage rates, and combined sales taxes to measure the true tax drag on median household earnings.

Core economic indexes and consumer price metrics undergo a comprehensive quarterly recalibration. This update cycle integrates the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) releases, municipal utility rate adjustments, and regional housing data feeds to ensure all index comparisons reflect current economic conditions.

Housing is weighted as the single largest component in Urblytica's cost-of-living algorithm, typically accounting for roughly 30% to 35% of the composite score. It incorporates both median monthly gross rent and median single-family home purchase prices relative to local median income levels.

Normalization involves adjusting raw economic inputs against localized purchasing power parities (PPPs) and population-weighted density scales. This ensures fair, apples-to-apples comparisons between dense metropolitan hubs and smaller suburban or rural towns.

Utility indexing applies a rolling annual average that captures seasonal climate variations, such as increased summer air conditioning loads in southern climates or heavier winter heating demands in northern regions, providing a realistic year-round average utility expense.

Remote workers leverage the index to calculate real purchasing power parity when moving from a high-cost-of-living area to a lower-cost region. By comparing index differentials against their fixed salary, users can determine if their net savings and lifestyle quality will improve post-relocation.

While the raw Cost of Living Index measures pure expense levels, it is frequently paired with Urblytica’s local wage index and median household income benchmarks. This combined view highlights whether local salaries keep pace with local consumer goods and housing expenses.

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