This content was generated using artificial intelligence based on publicly available information. It is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, immigration, or professional advice. Information may be incomplete or outdated. Always verify with official sources before making decisions.
Data Source: Safety, crime, and quality metrics are sourced from Numbeo, a crowd-sourced global database of reported data.
All scores are relative comparisons on a 0-100 scale, where 50 = global average. Higher scores mean better than average, lower scores mean worse than average.
Kota Bharu has a tropical monsoon climate (Köppen Am), with consistently warm temperatures, high humidity, and frequent rainfall through most of the year. The city is especially wet during the northeast monsoon period, while sunshine is limited compared with drier climates, and current conditions are consistent with warm, humid, overcast weather.
Summer Average
30°C
Winter Average
27°C
Climate Type
Tropical Monsoon
Rainy Days
220
Sunny Days
110
Humidity
84%
Spring
March - May
27-32°C
Hot and humid conditions dominate, with frequent showers and periods of overcast skies. Rainfall is usually moderate to high, often arriving as short, heavy tropical storms.
High rainfall
Summer
June - August
27-32°C
Conditions remain warm and humid, with rainfall continuing on many days but generally less intense than during the peak monsoon season. Sunshine increases somewhat, though cloudy weather is still common.
Moderate rainfall
Autumn
September - November
26-31°C
This is a wetter period as the northeast monsoon begins to strengthen. Cloud cover, persistent rain, and very humid air are typical.
Very High rainfall
Winter
December - February
25-30°C
The warm season continues, but rainfall remains frequent and humidity stays high. Cooler nights are only slightly milder, and overcast conditions are still common.
High rainfall
Loading Weather...
Air Quality
Kota Bharu
Kota Bharu offers a grounded, culturally rich Southeast Asian life at a refreshingly unhurried pace, where traditional Malay customs shape daily rhythms. It’s a place to live like a local—affordable housing, accessible healthcare, and functional public transit make settling in easy, especially on a modest budget. The pace is calm, the community welcoming, and day-to-day costs noticeably lower than in major regional hubs. That said, expats should be prepared for limited Western amenities and fewer international schools or expat services. If you value authenticity over convenience and don’t mind being outside the expat mainstream, Kota Bharu quietly rewards those who stay.
Advantages
Kota Bharu
Rich Malay cultural heritage
Delicious traditional cuisine
Proximity to beautiful beaches
Affordable cost of living
Authentic Islamic traditions
Disadvantages
Kota Bharu
Conservative Islamic restrictions
Limited economic opportunities
Remote location challenges
Low international connectivity
Traditional job market
Safety & Security in Kota Bharu
Overall Safety Score
Includes resilience and environmental factors
Good
64
/100
Malaysia Avg
60
Asia Avg
55
Worldwide Avg
56
Crime & Safety Metrics
Thermometer compares Kota Bharu to Malaysia averages using different marker styles.Compare:
Kota Bharu
Malaysia Average
Safety Index
0510
Moderate
Safety from Crime
0510
Moderate
Safe Alone (Day)
0510
Good
Safe Alone (Night)
0510
Moderate
Safety from Violent Crime
0510
Moderate
Safety from Property Crime
0510
Moderate
Environmental & Natural Hazard Risks
Resilience Score: N/A
Data Currently Under Investigation
Environmental risk assessments are being researched. The indicators below show what data will be available soon.
