City Comparison
Balat vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Balat scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Balat
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Balat is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
83% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Balat's average rent is
87% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Balat | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $150 | $1,138 | -87% |
| Groceries | $120 | $404 | -70% |
| Utilities | $30 | $194 | -85% |
| Transport | $40 | $312 | -87% |
| Healthcare | $40 | $226 | -82% |
| Monthly Total | $380 | $2,274 | -83% |
| Cost Index | 28 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 100% 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 Balat is estimated at
$250 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Balat | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $200 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $250 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 714 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $3,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Balat | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 30.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Binghamton scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Balat leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Balat | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 75.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 15.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Balat.
From a growth perspective, Balat 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 | Balat | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,000 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 28.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 7.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Balat
Advantages
Exceptionally low cost of living and affordable housing compared to major Egyptian urban centers
Rich historical heritage featuring exceptionally preserved Mamluk-era architecture and ancient town layouts
Extremely low crime rate and a warm, hospitable community atmosphere
Peaceful oasis setting surrounded by date palm groves and pristine desert landscapes
Growing potential for eco-tourism and cultural heritage preservation initiatives
Drawbacks
Remote desert location in the New Valley limits access to major metropolitan amenities
Limited local employment opportunities outside of agriculture, local government, and basic tourism
Basic healthcare infrastructure requires traveling to larger towns for advanced medical care
Extreme summer desert temperatures can be harsh for those unaccustomed to the climate
Sparse public transit connections to major Egyptian cities outside the oasis network
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.
Balat
#157New Valley, Egypt
70.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$150
Avg Salary
$200
Cost Index
28
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
75.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
7.50%
Livability
65
Business
45
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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