City Comparison
Johannesburg vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Johannesburg scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Johannesburg
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Johannesburg is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
23% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Johannesburg's average rent is
17% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Johannesburg | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,138 | -17% |
| Groceries | $350 | $404 | -13% |
| Utilities | $160 | $194 | -18% |
| Transport | $110 | $312 | -65% |
| Healthcare | $180 | $226 | -20% |
| Monthly Total | $1,750 | $2,274 | -23% |
| Cost Index | 45 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 56% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Johannesburg delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Johannesburg is estimated at
$18,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Johannesburg | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $24,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $18,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,333 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $22,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Johannesburg runs warmer on average — a 61.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Johannesburg comes out ahead with 225 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Johannesburg sees 3.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Johannesburg | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 61.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 63.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 59.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 37.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 3.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 225 | |
| Humidity | 58.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
14,000 minutes (233 hours) per year compared to Johannesburg.
Johannesburg 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 | Johannesburg | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 44 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 68.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Johannesburg is the larger city
— approximately 125.2x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Johannesburg 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 | Johannesburg | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,854,200 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.60% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 30.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Johannesburg
Advantages
Thriving corporate and financial hub housing the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and major multinational headquarters.
Exceptional climate featuring over 200 days of sunshine annually and extensive green urban forestry.
World-class private healthcare infrastructure with internationally accredited hospitals and specialists.
Vibrant cultural scene, featuring acclaimed museums, galleries, dining establishments, and a rich musical heritage.
Favorable cost of living and housing value for professionals earning competitive local salaries or remote foreign income.
Drawbacks
Elevated crime rates requiring vigilant personal security measures and gated residential environments.
Significant traffic congestion during peak commuting hours across major metropolitan highway corridors.
Fragmented public mass transit network leading to heavy reliance on private automobiles and rideshares.
Municipal infrastructure challenges, including occasional power interruptions and water supply maintenance issues.
Broader regional and national unemployment pressures impacting broader socio-economic stability.
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.
Johannesburg
#38Gauteng, South Africa
59.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$24,000
Cost Index
45
Commute
44 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
225/yr
Avg Temp
61.70°F
Pop. Growth
1.60%
Unemployment
30.20%
Livability
70
Business
74
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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