City Comparison
East Kilbride vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
East Kilbride scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
East Kilbride
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
East Kilbride is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Binghamton.
| Metric | East Kilbride | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $1,138 | -3% |
| Groceries | $380 | $404 | -6% |
| Utilities | $210 | $194 | +8% |
| Transport | $130 | $312 | -58% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $226 | -3% |
| Monthly Total | $2,040 | $2,274 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 20% 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 East Kilbride is estimated at
$38,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | East Kilbride | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $44,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $38,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 47,826 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $45,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
East Kilbride runs warmer on average — a 49.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, East Kilbride comes out ahead with 199 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — East Kilbride sees 3.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | East Kilbride | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 49.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 65.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 36.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 41.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 3.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 199 | |
| Humidity | 82.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
8,000 minutes (133 hours) per year compared to East Kilbride.
East Kilbride scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, East Kilbride leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | East Kilbride | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
East Kilbride is the larger city
— approximately 1.6x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, East Kilbride has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | East Kilbride | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 75,000 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 42.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
East Kilbride
Advantages
Scotland's first designated new town, featuring an integrated master plan with abundant green spaces and country parks like Calderglen.
Direct and regular rail and bus links connecting commuters to central Glasgow in under 30 minutes.
Home to Hairmyres Hospital, providing comprehensive acute healthcare services locally.
More affordable housing options and cost of living compared to central Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Extensive retail and leisure infrastructure anchored by the massive East Kilbride Shopping Centre and Dollan Aqua Centre.
Drawbacks
High reliance on private car transport for intra-town travel due to the sprawling new town suburban design.
Peak-hour traffic congestion on key arterial routes connecting to the M74 motorway and Glasgow.
Public transport costs and frequency can occasionally limit convenience for non-drivers.
Weather patterns reflect typical west of Scotland conditions with high annual rainfall and limited winter sunshine.
Retail landscape faces ongoing economic pressures similar to other traditional UK shopping centers.
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.
East Kilbride
#17Scotland, UK
61.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$44,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
199/yr
Avg Temp
49.60°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
75
Business
70
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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