City Comparison
Johor Bahru vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Johor Bahru scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Johor Bahru
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Johor Bahru is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
50% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Johor Bahru's average rent is
54% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Johor Bahru | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $527 | $1,138 | -54% |
| Groceries | $266 | $404 | -34% |
| Utilities | $180 | $194 | -7% |
| Transport | $13 | $312 | -96% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $226 | -34% |
| Monthly Total | $1,136 | $2,274 | -50% |
| Cost Index | 37 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 98% 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 Johor Bahru is estimated at
$2,137 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Johor Bahru | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $1,106 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $2,137 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 2,989 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $1,896 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Johor Bahru runs warmer on average — a 81.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Johor Bahru comes out ahead with 106 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Johor Bahru sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Johor Bahru | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 81.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 88.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 74.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 96.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 106 | |
| Humidity | 84.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
9,500 minutes (158 hours) per year compared to Johor Bahru.
Binghamton 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 | Johor Bahru | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 35 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | — | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | — | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Johor Bahru is the larger city
— approximately 89.6x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Johor Bahru has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Johor Bahru | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,190,000 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 35.9 | |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Johor Bahru
Advantages
Johor recorded the highest GDP growth rate among all Malaysian states in 2024 at 6.4%.
The cost of living in Johor Bahru is considerably lower than in major global cities and Kuala Lumpur.
Johor Bahru offers a high quality of life, ranking third highest in Southeast Asia after Singapore and Kuala Lumpur in 2024.
The unemployment rate in Johor was stable at 2.5% as of end-2025, lower than the national average.
The RTS Link, set to open in January 2027, will significantly reduce travel time and congestion between Johor Bahru and Singapore.
Drawbacks
Property prices in Johor Bahru have risen significantly, with serviced apartments up 20.4% and double-storey terrace houses up 8.6% in Q2 2025, potentially outpacing wage growth for some.
The Consumer Price Index in Johor was 141.8 as of July 2026, indicating a rise in prices of over 30% since 2010.
The proposed city center rapid transit project, crucial for alleviating traffic once the RTS Link opens, has not yet commenced physical work as of June 2026.
Despite leading in economic growth, Johor's GDP per capita of around RM37,000 in 2024 remains significantly below the national average of RM56,734.
The property price-to-income ratio in Johor is 9.5x, exceeding the internationally accepted 5x affordability threshold, indicating that housing is relatively expensive compared to household incomes.
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.
Johor Bahru
#69Johor, Malaysia
66.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$527
Avg Salary
$1,106
Cost Index
37
Commute
35 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
106/yr
Avg Temp
81.60°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
2.50%
Livability
74
Business
68
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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