City Comparison
Kuala Lumpur vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Kuala Lumpur scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Kuala Lumpur
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Kuala Lumpur is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
20% lower than in Binghamton.
| Metric | Kuala Lumpur | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $1,138 | -3% |
| Groceries | $350 | $404 | -13% |
| Utilities | $130 | $194 | -33% |
| Transport | $80 | $312 | -74% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $226 | -34% |
| Monthly Total | $1,810 | $2,274 | -20% |
| Cost Index | 45 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 44% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Kuala Lumpur delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Kuala Lumpur is estimated at
$27,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Kuala Lumpur | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $31,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $27,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,889 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $28,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Kuala Lumpur runs warmer on average — a 82.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Kuala Lumpur comes out ahead with 101 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Kuala Lumpur sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Kuala Lumpur | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 82.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 92.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 74.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 110.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 101 | |
| Humidity | 80.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
13,000 minutes (217 hours) per year compared to Kuala Lumpur.
Kuala Lumpur scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Kuala Lumpur leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Kuala Lumpur | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 42 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 68.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 62.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Kuala Lumpur is the larger city
— approximately 42.4x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Kuala Lumpur is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Kuala Lumpur has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Kuala Lumpur | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,982,100 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 32.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.60% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Kuala Lumpur
Advantages
World-class private healthcare infrastructure at significantly lower costs than Western nations per Department of Statistics Malaysia 2024.
Exceptional culinary diversity featuring globally acclaimed street food and fine dining options per Numbeo 2025.
Comprehensive and affordable urban rail transit network connecting major commercial and residential districts per Rapid KL 2025.
Lower overall cost of living compared to regional hubs like Singapore while offering comparable lifestyle amenities per World Bank 2024.
Vibrant expatriate community with numerous international schools and networking organizations per Expatistan 2025.
Drawbacks
Heavy traffic congestion during peak commuting hours leading to elevated daily travel times per TomTom Traffic Index 2024.
High humidity and frequent tropical rainfall requiring climate control year-round per Malaysian Meteorological Department 2025.
Rising rental costs in prime central districts like KLCC and Bukit Bintang per NAPIC Malaysia 2024.
Pedestrian infrastructure can be disjointed or lacking outside of major commercial centers per Kuala Lumpur City Hall 2024.
Air quality can occasionally be impacted by regional seasonal haze per Department of Environment Malaysia 2025.
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.
Kuala Lumpur
#51Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
75.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$31,000
Cost Index
45
Commute
42 min
Transit Score
68.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
101/yr
Avg Temp
82.70°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
3.60%
Livability
77
Business
76
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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