City Comparison
Bayan Lepas vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bayan Lepas scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bayan Lepas
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Bayan Lepas is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
35% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bayan Lepas's average rent is
25% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Bayan Lepas | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,138 | -25% |
| Groceries | $300 | $404 | -26% |
| Utilities | $110 | $194 | -43% |
| Transport | $90 | $312 | -71% |
| Healthcare | $120 | $226 | -47% |
| Monthly Total | $1,470 | $2,274 | -35% |
| Cost Index | 52 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 56% 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 Bayan Lepas is estimated at
$19,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Bayan Lepas | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $24,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $19,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 46,154 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $28,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Bayan Lepas runs warmer on average — a 81.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Bayan Lepas comes out ahead with 114 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Bayan Lepas sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Bayan Lepas | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 81.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 75.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 113.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 114 | |
| Humidity | 80.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
8,000 minutes (133 hours) per year compared to Bayan Lepas.
Bayan Lepas scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Bayan Lepas | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 55.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 65.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bayan Lepas is the larger city
— approximately 3.2x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Bayan Lepas is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Bayan Lepas has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Bayan Lepas | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 150,000 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Bayan Lepas
Advantages
High concentration of multinational technology and semiconductor employers providing robust career growth in engineering and tech fields.
World-renowned culinary scene with accessible hawker centers and diverse international dining options across the district.
Proximity to the Penang International Airport, facilitating seamless regional and international travel for business and leisure.
Access to high-quality private healthcare facilities and medical centers with internationally accredited professionals.
Dynamic and cosmopolitan community combining modern urban infrastructure with rich Penang cultural heritage.
Drawbacks
Heavy traffic congestion during peak commuting hours around the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone and major expressways.
Rising housing and rental costs driven by limited island land supply and high demand from tech sector professionals.
High car dependency in certain industrial and residential sectors where pedestrian infrastructure is limited.
Warm and humid tropical climate year-round with significant seasonal rainfall requiring adaptation for outdoor activities.
Competitive rental and property purchasing market for mid-to-high-tier developments near commercial hubs.
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.
Bayan Lepas
#4Penang (Pulau Pinang), Malaysia
83.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$24,000
Cost Index
52
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
114/yr
Avg Temp
81.50°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
77
Business
82
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Bayan Lepas and Binghamton.
Open Cost Calculator