Urblytica 30 days free banner
Urblytica - Free Event Listing
List Business List Event

City Profile

Kuala Nerus, Terengganu

Malaysia · Comprehensive city data and intelligence

Compare Kuala Nerus Custom Comparison
76
Overall Score

Kuala Nerus, located in the state of Terengganu, Malaysia, is a district characterized by a blend of fishing villages, suburban areas, and scenic coastlines. This coastal mix contributes to its relaxed and low-density character, making it an attractive location for families and individuals seeking a quieter lifestyle. The area is known for its natural beauty and cultural heritage, with attractions such as Redang Island and various traditional activities. The district is also home to Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), a public university with a strong focus on marine science and environmental studies, contributing to a vibrant coastal campus environment. Kuala Nerus is part of the East Coast Economic Region (ECER), which is actively developing its tourism sector and aims to balance sustainable development with infrastructure investments.

About Terengganu

Terengganu, a Malaysian state on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, is characterized by its rich Malay-Muslim culture, strong traditions, and a slower pace of life. The economy is primarily driven by its significant oil, gas, and petrochemical industries, with agriculture, fishing, and a growing tourism sector also contributing. Living in Terengganu generally offers a lower cost of living compared to other Malaysian cities, with an average monthly cost for a single person around $658.40 including rent. The climate is tropical, experiencing consistently warm and humid weather year-round, with temperatures typically ranging from 75°F to 90°F, and a distinct wet monsoon season from November to February. The lifestyle emphasizes community, faith, and a connection to nature, with residents often valuing contentment over economic growth.

161,134
Population
76.1
Quality Score
How this 76/100 was calculated five components, with every reading behind them
Component Readings used Points Weight Contributes
Safety Safety score: 75 / 100 75.0 30% 22.5
Affordability No usable reading — dataset average used 75.1 25% 18.8
Economy & jobs Median household income: no usable reading Income needed to live here: no usable reading Unemployment rate: 2.8% 90.0 20% 18.0
Growth Population growth rate: 1.67% Job growth rate: no usable reading 66.8 15% 10.0
Business climate assessment Business climate assessment: 68 / 100 68.0 10% 6.8
Overall score 76.1

Provenance. These figures were produced by the research pass recorded as Gemini (Tier 1 (fast), q=81), last refreshed 24 August 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.

FindCarez Leader Banner – advertisement

Local Directory

Businesses in Kuala Nerus

Featured local businesses in Kuala Nerus.

List your business
Put your business in front of people moving to Kuala Nerus Featured businesses appear here for everyone researching Kuala Nerus. Add a featured spot to your banner package, or start with a free listing.
Feature my business List free
Doctyme – advertisement

Performance

Quality Scores

Business
68
Livability
74
Affordability
65
Growth
70

Expenses

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Kuala Nerus is generally considered affordable, especially when compared to major metropolitan areas. A typical grocery bill for one person is estimated to be around RM300–RM500 monthly (approximately USD 63-106), with inexpensive staples like rice, vegetables, chicken, and eggs readily available at local markets. Dining out is also budget-friendly, with meals at local restaurants costing between RM10–RM15 (approximately USD 2-3) and mid-range options averaging RM25–RM50 (approximately USD 5-11) per person. These costs are significantly lower than in cities like Kuala Lumpur, where a budget meal might be closer to RM20 (USD 4.20). The overall affordability is a key factor in the quality of life in Kuala Nerus, allowing residents to enjoy a diverse range of local cuisine and daily necessities without excessive financial strain.

Groceries
$400/mo
Restaurant meal (mid-range)
$11.00
Monthly groceries
$106.00
Doctor visit (without insurance)
$13.00
Home purchase (per sq ft)
$69.00

Weather

Climate

🌡️
Avg Temp
☀️
Summer High
❄️
Winter Low
🌧️
"
Annual Rain
💧
85.00%
Humidity
🌤️
Sunny Days

Mobility

Transport

Transportation in Kuala Nerus primarily relies on private vehicles, given its suburban and coastal nature. While specific transit and walkability scores for Kuala Nerus are not readily available, the broader Malaysian government is investing in public transport infrastructure. The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) Phase 1, connecting Kota Bharu to Gombak, is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, which will significantly cut travel time between Kelantan and the Klang Valley to just four hours, potentially improving regional connectivity for residents of Kuala Nerus. Within the city, residents likely depend on cars and potentially ride-sharing services for daily commutes. The emphasis on outdoor space and beaches suggests that driving is a common mode of transport for accessing various attractions and amenities.

min
Avg Commute
/10
Transit Score
/10
Walkability
Medium
Car Dependency
Azibiz – advertisement

At a Glance

Pros & Cons

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.

Head to Head

Compare Kuala Nerus

Kuala Nerus VS Grants Pass Kuala Nerus VS Binghamton Kuala Nerus VS Cincinnati Kuala Nerus VS Tigard

Explore

Nearby Cities

Jerteh
79
Paka
78
Chukai
76
Pengkalan Berangan
73

Community Q&A

Questions about Kuala Nerus

What people ask about living in and moving to Kuala Nerus, Terengganu.

Ask a question
Gathering the most common questions about Kuala Nerus…

FAQ

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.

Free Quotes

Get quotes from local pros in Kuala Nerus

Tell us what you need and we’ll pass it to companies that serve your area. It’s free, and there’s no obligation.

Compare Kuala Nerus with any city

See how it stacks up on cost, income, and quality of life.

Start Comparing

Sponsored