City Comparison
Gold Coast vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Gold Coast scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Gold Coast
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
20% lower than in Gold Coast.
Housing costs are a major driver: Gold Coast's average rent is
67% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Gold Coast | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,900 | $1,138 | +67% |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +4% |
| Utilities | $190 | $194 | -2% |
| Transport | $130 | $312 | -58% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $226 | -3% |
| Monthly Total | $2,860 | $2,274 | +26% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Gold Coast offers 13% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Gold Coast delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Gold Coast is estimated at
$52,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Gold Coast | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,265 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $64,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Gold Coast runs warmer on average — a 69.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Gold Coast comes out ahead with 229 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Gold Coast sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Gold Coast | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 69.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 68.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 69.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 58.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 229 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,500 minutes (108 hours) per year compared to Gold Coast.
Gold Coast scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Gold Coast leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Gold Coast | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Gold Coast is the larger city
— approximately 13.8x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Gold Coast is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Gold Coast has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Gold Coast | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 647,000 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.10% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Gold Coast
Advantages
Over 50 kilometers of world-class beaches and subtropical climate offering 229 sunny days annually
Expanding and diversified job market driven by healthcare, education, and tech sectors
Exceptional outdoor lifestyle with close proximity to lush hinterland national parks and surf breaks
Modern public transport infrastructure including the expanding G:link light rail network
High concentration of top-tier medical facilities like the Gold Coast University Hospital
Drawbacks
Competitive rental market with low vacancy rates driving up average monthly housing costs
High car dependency in suburban areas outside the main light rail corridor
Significant peak-hour traffic congestion along major coastal transport arteries
Vulnerability to seasonal weather events such as intense summer storms and coastal erosion
Cost of living indices running above the national average due to interstate migration demand
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.
Gold Coast
#5Queensland, Australia
64.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,900
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
229/yr
Avg Temp
69.90°F
Pop. Growth
2.10%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
82
Business
72
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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