City Comparison
Bukit Merah vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bukit Merah scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bukit Merah
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Bukit Merah is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bukit Merah's average rent is
37% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Bukit Merah | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,563 | $1,138 | +37% |
| Groceries | $356 | $404 | -12% |
| Utilities | $141 | $194 | -27% |
| Transport | $94 | $312 | -70% |
| Healthcare | $47 | $226 | -79% |
| Monthly Total | $2,201 | $2,274 | -3% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 6% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Bukit Merah delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Bukit Merah is estimated at
$65,629 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Bukit Merah | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $51,566 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,629 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,885 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $116,709 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Bukit Merah | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 84.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,000 minutes (117 hours) per year compared to Bukit Merah.
Bukit Merah scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Bukit Merah leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Bukit Merah | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 80.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 85.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Low | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bukit Merah is the larger city
— approximately 3.1x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Bukit Merah has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Bukit Merah | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 146,200 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 42.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 2.90% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Bukit Merah
Advantages
Excellent public transport connectivity and walkability, with a median commute time of 30 minutes.
Home to Singapore General Hospital, providing high-quality healthcare services. [cite: 8, 24, from previous search]
Strong national economy and pro-business environment, ranking as the world's most competitive economy in 2024.
Mature residential estate with a blend of amenities and proximity to the Central Business District. [cite: 14, 46, from previous search]
High safety levels, consistent with Singapore's overall low crime rates.
Drawbacks
High cost of living, particularly for housing, with median 3-room HDB rents around S$2,500 (USD 1,953) in late 2025. [cite: 31, from previous search]
Negative population growth rate of -0.68% for the planning area between 2020 and 2025. [cite: 2, from previous search]
Aging population, with 22% of residents aged 65 or older. [cite: 28, from previous search]
High humidity (average 84%) and year-round rainfall can be uncomfortable for some. [cite: 4, 5, 31, from previous search]
Gasoline prices are among the highest globally, impacting car ownership costs (USD 9.23 per gallon in Sep 2026).
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.
Bukit Merah
#3Central Region, Singapore
78.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,563
Avg Salary
$51,566
Cost Index
82
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
80.0/100
Walkability
85.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
2.90%
Livability
80
Business
85
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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