City Comparison
Boksburg vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Boksburg scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Boksburg
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Boksburg is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
56% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Boksburg's average rent is
60% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Boksburg | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $450 | $1,138 | -60% |
| Groceries | $200 | $404 | -50% |
| Utilities | $130 | $194 | -33% |
| Transport | $80 | $312 | -74% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $226 | -34% |
| Monthly Total | $1,010 | $2,274 | -56% |
| Cost Index | 42 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 75% 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 Boksburg is estimated at
$11,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Boksburg | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $14,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $11,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 33,333 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $15,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Boksburg runs warmer on average — a 61.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Boksburg comes out ahead with 236 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Boksburg sees 0.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Boksburg | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 61.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 64.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 59.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 35.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 236 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
9,500 minutes (158 hours) per year compared to Boksburg.
Boksburg 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 | Boksburg | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 35 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Boksburg is the larger city
— approximately 5.7x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Boksburg 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 | Boksburg | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 265,000 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 29.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Boksburg
Advantages
Strategic proximity to O.R. Tambo International Airport enhances business logistics and travel convenience.
Extensive availability of secure lifestyle estates and gated residential communities.
Competitive real estate prices offering significantly larger properties compared to central Johannesburg.
Strong industrial and logistics base centered in Jet Park providing robust local employment.
Abundant retail infrastructure anchored by major shopping destinations like East Rand Mall.
Drawbacks
High reliance on private security infrastructure due to localized crime rates.
Heavy traffic congestion during peak commuting hours along the N12 and surrounding arterial roads.
National unemployment pressures impact broader regional economic stability.
High car dependency due to limited formal mass transit rail coverage.
Municipal service delivery inconsistencies typical of wider metropolitan Gauteng municipalities.
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.
Boksburg
#34Gauteng, South Africa
60.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$450
Avg Salary
$14,000
Cost Index
42
Commute
35 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
236/yr
Avg Temp
61.70°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
29.50%
Livability
58
Business
62
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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