Performance
Score Breakdown
Burnaby
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
1% higher compared to Burnaby.
Housing costs are a major driver: Burnaby's average rent is
102% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Burnaby | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,300 | $1,138 | +102% |
| Groceries | $0 | $404 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $194 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $312 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $226 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,300 | $2,274 | +1% |
| Cost Index | 69 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 100% lower average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Burnaby is estimated at
$77,712 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Burnaby | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $77,712 | $45,000 |
| Household Income | $83,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Burnaby | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Burnaby.
Binghamton 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 | Burnaby | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 33.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 23.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Burnaby is the larger city
— approximately 5.3x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Burnaby 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 | Burnaby | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 249,125 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 7.00% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 42.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 6.91% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Burnaby
Advantages
Burnaby's crime rates are 28% lower than the British Columbia average.
The city has an exceptional Livability Score of 84/100.
Burnaby has one of the highest ratios of park land to residents in North America, with 25% of its land designated as parks and open spaces.
The city is a major employment center within the Lower Mainland, with significant job growth in professional, scientific, and technical services.
Burnaby offers convenient public transit with 11 SkyTrain stations and an extensive bus system.
Drawbacks
Burnaby has some of the highest rents in Canada, second only to Vancouver.
Despite a decline in 2024, rents are still 16.8% higher than pre-pandemic levels.
The competitive housing market and high cost of living can be challenging for residents.
The average days on market for detached homes in Burnaby jumped to 51 days in December 2024, up from 19 in November.
While the infrastructure is dependable, the pace of life is more functional than cosmopolitan.
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.
Burnaby
#1British Columbia, Canada
84.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,300
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
69
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
7.00%
Unemployment
6.91%
Livability
84
Business
0
Binghamton
#89New York, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,138
Avg Salary
$55,000
Cost Index
110
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
33.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
68
Business
60
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