City Comparison
Durban vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Durban scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Durban
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Durban is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
43% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Durban's average rent is
43% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Durban | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $650 | $1,138 | -43% |
| Groceries | $280 | $404 | -31% |
| Utilities | $110 | $194 | -43% |
| Transport | $95 | $312 | -70% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $226 | -34% |
| Monthly Total | $1,285 | $2,274 | -43% |
| 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 Durban is estimated at
$11,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Durban | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $14,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $11,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 33,333 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $16,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Durban runs warmer on average — a 71°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Durban comes out ahead with 240 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Durban sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Durban | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 71.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 72.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 71.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 40.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 240 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
9,500 minutes (158 hours) per year compared to Durban.
Durban scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Durban | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 35 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 55.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Durban is the larger city
— approximately 89.8x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Durban 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 | Durban | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,200,000 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 28.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 29.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Durban
Advantages
Subtropical climate with 240 sunny days per year and warm ocean temperatures
Housing and rental costs are notably lower than in Cape Town or Johannesburg
Rich cultural heritage and world-renowned culinary scene, including authentic local cuisine
Strategic coastal location anchored by Africa's busiest shipping and logistics port
Abundant outdoor recreational activities along the Golden Mile and surrounding coastal reserves
Drawbacks
High regional unemployment rate mirroring broader South African economic hurdles
Crime rates require constant security vigilance and gated or secure residential planning
Occasional municipal infrastructure challenges including water and power supply disruptions
Traffic congestion during peak hours along primary highway corridors
High summer humidity can be intense for unacclimatized newcomers
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.
Durban
#20KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
64.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$650
Avg Salary
$14,000
Cost Index
42
Commute
35 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
240/yr
Avg Temp
71.00°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
29.50%
Livability
73
Business
67
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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