Introduction. The aim of this study was to compare strength and mobility of older adults living in Malaysia and to determine whether strength is correlated with mobility. Methods. This cross-sectional study recruited adults aged ≥60 years old living in urban, rural, and Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA) settlements in Malaysia. Upper limb strength (using a handgrip dynamometer), lower limb strength (using the 30-second chair stand test), and mobility (using the timed up and go test) were evaluated for all participants.Results. A total of 576 older adults living in urban (n=192), rural (n=101), and FELDA (n=283) settlements were included. Mobility was correlated with upper limb strength in women living in urban settlements (r= -0.408, p=0.001), men living in rural settlements (r= -0.599, p=0.003), and men living in FELDA settlements (r= -0.281, p=0.006). Mobility was correlated with lower limb strength in women (r= -0.686, p<0.001) and men (r= -0.415, p=0.035) living in urban settlements, and women (r= -0.246, p=0.001) and men (r= -0.281, p=0.006) living in FELDA settlements. Conclusion.It is important to establish public policies for interventional strategies for older persons at risk of functional decline specific to the uniqueness of the settlement.