City Comparison
Alberton vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Alberton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Alberton
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Alberton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
56% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Alberton's average rent is
60% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Alberton | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $450 | $1,138 | -60% |
| Groceries | $220 | $404 | -46% |
| Utilities | $110 | $194 | -43% |
| Transport | $90 | $312 | -71% |
| Healthcare | $120 | $226 | -47% |
| Monthly Total | $990 | $2,274 | -56% |
| Cost Index | 42 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 74% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Binghamton delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Alberton is estimated at
$11,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Alberton | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $14,500 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $11,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 34,524 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $18,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Alberton runs warmer on average — a 62.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Alberton comes out ahead with 241 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Alberton sees 1.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Alberton | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 62.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 65.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 60.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 33.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 1.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 241 | |
| Humidity | 58.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
9,000 minutes (150 hours) per year compared to Alberton.
Alberton scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Binghamton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Alberton | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 34 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Alberton is the larger city
— approximately 5.5x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Alberton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Binghamton has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Alberton | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,000 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.40% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 27.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Alberton
Advantages
Strategic geographic location in Gauteng with direct access to major national highways like the R59 and N12
Abundant availability of secure lifestyle estates and family homes with spacious gardens
World-class private medical facilities, notably the newly established Netcare Alberton Hospital
Comprehensive retail and commercial infrastructure including Mall at Newmarket and Alberton City
Lower overall cost of living and property prices compared to central Johannesburg and Sandton
Drawbacks
National electricity supply instability (load shedding risks) impacting residential and business operations
High reliance on private security infrastructure due to local property crime concerns
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours along main arterial routes toward Johannesburg
Limited formal mass public transit infrastructure forcing heavy reliance on personal vehicles or minibuses
Broader regional macroeconomic pressures including national unemployment challenges
Binghamton
Advantages
The average commute time in Binghamton is relatively short at 16 minutes, offering more personal time.
Housing costs are generally lower than the national average, with a median home price of $194,000 as of December 2025.
The presence of Binghamton University provides a vibrant cultural scene and educational opportunities.
The city's economy is diversifying with growth in healthcare, education, and advanced manufacturing sectors.
Binghamton offers access to natural landscapes and outdoor recreational activities due to its river confluence and surrounding hills.
Drawbacks
Binghamton has a high crime rate, with total crime being 86% higher than the national average based on 2024 FBI data.
The unemployment rate in Binghamton was 4.3% in 2026, slightly higher than the national average.
Public transportation options are limited, as indicated by a Transit Score of 33 for Downtown Binghamton.
Despite some positive economic indicators, the Binghamton metro area experienced a 2.8% population decrease over a 10-year period leading up to 2024.
Drug-related crime remains a significant concern in the Binghamton area, despite a decrease in overdose rates.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Alberton
#14Gauteng, South Africa
65.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$450
Avg Salary
$14,500
Cost Index
42
Commute
34 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
241/yr
Avg Temp
62.20°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
27.50%
Livability
66
Business
60
Binghamton
#603New York, USA
38.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,138
Avg Salary
$55,000
Cost Index
110
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
33.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
68
Business
60
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