City Comparison
Centurion vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Centurion scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Centurion
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Centurion is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
48% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Centurion's average rent is
52% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Centurion | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $550 | $1,138 | -52% |
| Groceries | $280 | $404 | -31% |
| Utilities | $130 | $194 | -33% |
| Transport | $110 | $312 | -65% |
| Healthcare | $120 | $226 | -47% |
| Monthly Total | $1,190 | $2,274 | -48% |
| Cost Index | 42 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 70% 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 Centurion is estimated at
$13,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Centurion | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $16,500 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $13,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 39,286 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $22,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Centurion runs warmer on average — a 63.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Centurion comes out ahead with 235 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Centurion sees 0.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Centurion | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 66.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 61.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 42.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 235 | |
| Humidity | 55.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
9,000 minutes (150 hours) per year compared to Centurion.
Centurion 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 | Centurion | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 34 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 46.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 62.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Centurion is the larger city
— approximately 7.8x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Centurion 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 | Centurion | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 365,000 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.90% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 26.80% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Centurion
Advantages
Strategically positioned between Pretoria and Johannesburg with excellent highway and Gautrain rapid rail access.
Home to world-class private medical facilities including Netcare Unitas and Mediclinic Centurion.
Abundant secure lifestyle estates offering high-level security and family-friendly amenities.
Thriving tech and corporate employment hub with extensive fiber-optic internet infrastructure.
Favorable climate with over 230 sunny days per year supporting an active outdoor lifestyle.
Drawbacks
High level of car dependency leading to significant peak-hour traffic congestion on major arterial routes.
Crime rates in traditional open suburbs require reliance on private security and armed response services.
National economic pressures and high structural unemployment impact broader regional economic mobility.
Load shedding and municipal electricity grid instability necessitate private backup power solutions like generators or solar.
Public mass transit options are limited outside of the Gautrain rapid rail network.
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.
Centurion
#4Gauteng, South Africa
68.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$550
Avg Salary
$16,500
Cost Index
42
Commute
34 min
Transit Score
46.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
235/yr
Avg Temp
63.80°F
Pop. Growth
1.90%
Unemployment
26.80%
Livability
73
Business
68
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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