City Comparison
Baoshan vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Baoshan scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Baoshan
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Baoshan is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
62% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Baoshan's average rent is
78% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Baoshan | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $250 | $1,138 | -78% |
| Groceries | $400 | $404 | -1% |
| Utilities | $90 | $194 | -54% |
| Transport | $70 | $312 | -78% |
| Healthcare | $60 | $226 | -73% |
| Monthly Total | $870 | $2,274 | -62% |
| Cost Index | 38 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 81% 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 Baoshan is estimated at
$15,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Baoshan | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $10,428 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $15,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 27,442 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $19,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Baoshan runs warmer on average — a 63.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Baoshan comes out ahead with 197 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Baoshan sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Baoshan | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 78.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 40.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 54.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 197 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
8,000 minutes (133 hours) per year compared to Baoshan.
Baoshan scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Baoshan leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Baoshan | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Baoshan is the larger city
— approximately 51.3x the population of Binghamton.
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 | Baoshan | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,399,000 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.00% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Baoshan
Advantages
Significantly lower cost of living compared to major Chinese cities and Western countries.
Mild subtropical highland climate with warm, rainy summers and mild, dry winters, and 197 sunny days annually.
Rich ethnic diversity and cultural heritage, with 13 resident ethnic minority groups.
Affordable housing market, with property prices around $93 USD per square foot as of 2025.
Good connectivity via railway and airport, linking to major cities in Yunnan and beyond.
Drawbacks
Population has shown a slight downward trend in recent years.
Public transportation to remote villages and mountainous attractions is limited, requiring private transport for exploration.
Economic development, while growing, lags behind China's eastern coastal regions.
Limited direct data available for specific city-level economic growth rates and detailed cost breakdowns.
Average salary is relatively modest compared to national GDP per capita and major urban centers.
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.
Baoshan
#12Yunnan, China
75.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$250
Avg Salary
$10,428
Cost Index
38
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
197/yr
Avg Temp
63.40°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.00%
Livability
70
Business
55
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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