City Comparison
Ficksburg vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Ficksburg scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Ficksburg
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ficksburg is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
63% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Ficksburg's average rent is
67% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Ficksburg | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $380 | $1,138 | -67% |
| Groceries | $220 | $404 | -46% |
| Utilities | $95 | $194 | -51% |
| Transport | $75 | $312 | -76% |
| Healthcare | $65 | $226 | -71% |
| Monthly Total | $835 | $2,274 | -63% |
| Cost Index | 42 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 85% 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 Ficksburg is estimated at
$6,500 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Ficksburg | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $8,200 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $6,500 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 19,524 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $7,900 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Ficksburg runs warmer on average — a 58.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Ficksburg comes out ahead with 236 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Ficksburg sees 1.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Ficksburg | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 58.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 61.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 57.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 43.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 1.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 236 | |
| Humidity | 58.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Ficksburg 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 | Ficksburg | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 28.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Ficksburg.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton 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 | Ficksburg | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 39,534 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.70% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 28.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 32.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Ficksburg
Advantages
Exceptional affordability with significantly lower housing and grocery costs compared to major South African cities per Numbeo data
Scenic natural environment nestled against the Imperani Mountain with mild, pleasant weather and abundant sunshine
Rich agricultural heritage and status as South Africa's premier cherry-producing region, driving tourism and local festivals
Strategic geographic location serving as a key border gateway to Lesotho, boosting regional commerce and trade
Strong community spirit and low traffic congestion ensuring short, hassle-free daily commutes
Drawbacks
High national unemployment rates and limited high-paying job diversification outside of agriculture and public service
Municipal service delivery challenges common to smaller Free State municipalities, including water and road infrastructure maintenance
Limited public transit infrastructure, resulting in high reliance on private vehicles or informal minibus taxis
Distance from major metropolitan medical specialists, requiring travel to Bloemfontein for advanced healthcare
Vulnerability to regional climate variability affecting agricultural yields and seasonal farm employment
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.
Ficksburg
#45Free State, South Africa
56.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$380
Avg Salary
$8,200
Cost Index
42
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
236/yr
Avg Temp
58.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
32.10%
Livability
56
Business
50
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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