City Comparison
Alice vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Alice scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Alice
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Alice is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
62% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Alice's average rent is
69% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Alice | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $350 | $1,138 | -69% |
| Groceries | $220 | $404 | -46% |
| Utilities | $110 | $194 | -43% |
| Transport | $70 | $312 | -78% |
| Healthcare | $120 | $226 | -47% |
| Monthly Total | $870 | $2,274 | -62% |
| Cost Index | 42 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 98% 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 Alice is estimated at
$900 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Alice | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $1,100 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $900 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 2,619 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $12,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Alice | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 62.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Alice scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Alice leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Alice | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Alice.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton 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 | Alice | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,000 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 27.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 38.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Alice
Advantages
Home to the historic University of Fort Hare, providing a vibrant intellectual and cultural atmosphere
Significantly lower cost of living and housing prices compared to major South African metropolitan areas
Rich historical heritage as a recognized UNESCO-associated liberation legacy site
Strong community cohesion and pedestrian-friendly central town layout
Proportionately high concentration of educational and public sector professional opportunities relative to the region
Drawbacks
High regional unemployment rates and limited private-sector job growth across the Eastern Cape
Public healthcare facilities face frequent resource constraints and high patient waiting times
Limited local entertainment, specialized retail, and public transit infrastructure outside the town center
Occasional student protests and civic disruptions impacting municipal services and academic schedules
Economic dependence on a single primary institution (the University of Fort Hare) for regional economic stability
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.
Alice
#48Eastern Cape, South Africa
54.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$350
Avg Salary
$1,100
Cost Index
42
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
38.50%
Livability
63
Business
52
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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