City Comparison
Butuan vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Butuan scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Butuan
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Weather
Climate Comparison
Butuan runs warmer on average — a 81.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Butuan comes out ahead with 94 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Butuan sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Butuan | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 81.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 90.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 74.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 86.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 94 | |
| Humidity | 85.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Butuan has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
8,000 minutes (133 hours) per year compared to Binghamton.
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 | Butuan | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | — | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | — | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Butuan is the larger city
— approximately 8.2x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Butuan has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Butuan | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 385,530 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.83% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 35.9 | |
| Unemployment | 2.24% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Butuan
Advantages
Butuan City experienced a significant drop in poverty incidence, falling from 22.6% in 2021 to 12.2% in 2023.
The Caraga Region, with Butuan as its center, was the second fastest-growing economy in the Philippines in both 2024 (6.9% growth) and 2025 (5.7% growth).
The city is actively strengthening its healthcare system, expanding to seven main health centers by September 2026, with plans for more, and partnering with private hospitals.
Butuan boasts a rich historical and cultural heritage, recognized as the "Historic City of the Philippines" due to discoveries like the ancient Balangay boats.
The city offers a diverse and vibrant culinary scene, featuring unique Mindanaoan delicacies, fresh seafood, and various international cuisines.
Drawbacks
Traffic congestion is a notable problem in Butuan City, particularly during rush hours.
Specific, recent (2024 or later) data for key urban metrics such as median household income, average rent, and unemployment rate for Butuan City is not publicly available.
The public transportation system has been undergoing a rationalization process (2022-2025), indicating past inefficiencies and ongoing adjustments.
Butuan City is not primarily known for pristine beaches, requiring travel to other locations for beach-focused activities.
Historically, the city's economy was heavily reliant on the logging industry, which experienced a decline in the early 1980s, necessitating ongoing economic diversification.
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.
Butuan
#10Mindanao, Philippines
73.4 / 100 overall
Commute
min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
94/yr
Avg Temp
81.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.83%
Unemployment
2.24%
Livability
68
Business
70
Binghamton
#603New York, USA
38.3 / 100 overall
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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