Performance
Score Breakdown
Kuala Nerus
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Kuala Nerus is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
84% lower compared to Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Kuala Nerus's average rent is
100% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Kuala Nerus | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $1,450 | -100% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $0 | $400 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $120 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $150 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $400 | $2,570 | -84% |
| Cost Index | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Kuala Nerus | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $58,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Kuala Nerus | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 85.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Kuala Nerus has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
9,000 minutes (150 hours) per year compared to Grants Pass.
Grants Pass scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Grants Pass leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Kuala Nerus | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 27.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 40.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Kuala Nerus is the larger city
— approximately 4x the population of Grants Pass.
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 | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 161,134 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.67% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 22.4 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 5.60% |
| 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.
Grants Pass
Advantages
Access to world-class outdoor recreation on the Rogue River, including rafting and fishing.
More sunny days and a warmer, drier climate compared to much of western Oregon.
Housing is comparatively more affordable than larger West Coast cities and some other Oregon metros.
A growing arts and food scene in a walkable, historic downtown.
Friendly community atmosphere appealing to families and retirees.
Drawbacks
Overall crime rate is significantly higher than the national average, particularly due to property crime.
Limited high-wage job opportunities compared to larger economic centers.
Air quality can be impacted by wildfire smoke during certain seasons.
Presence of a significant homeless population in the downtown core.
High car dependency due to minimal public transportation options.
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
Grants Pass
#68Oregon, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$64,331
Cost Index
112
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
27.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
5.60%
Livability
70
Business
60
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