City Comparison
Kuantan vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Kuantan scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Kuantan
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Kuantan is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
73% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Kuantan's average rent is
79% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Kuantan | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $235 | $1,138 | -79% |
| Groceries | $240 | $404 | -41% |
| Utilities | $60 | $194 | -69% |
| Transport | $30 | $312 | -90% |
| Healthcare | $50 | $226 | -78% |
| Monthly Total | $615 | $2,274 | -73% |
| Cost Index | 45 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 79% 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 Kuantan is estimated at
$8,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Kuantan | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $11,796 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $8,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 26,213 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $23,929 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Kuantan runs warmer on average — a 80.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Kuantan comes out ahead with 94 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Kuantan sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Kuantan | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 80.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 88.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 73.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 105.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 94 | |
| Humidity | 84.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,000 minutes (117 hours) per year compared to Kuantan.
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 | Kuantan | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 50.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Kuantan is the larger city
— approximately 12.5x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Kuantan is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Kuantan has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Kuantan | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 583,223 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.04% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 32.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 2.00% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Kuantan
Advantages
Affordable cost of living compared to major Malaysian cities and international standards.
Strong industrial growth and job creation, particularly in manufacturing, petrochemicals, and logistics due to MCKIP and Kuantan Port.
Improving infrastructure with projects like the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) enhancing connectivity.
Relatively low unemployment rate in Pahang, recorded at 1.9% in Q1 2026.
Access to natural attractions like beaches and waterfalls, contributing to tourism and quality of life.
Drawbacks
Limited public transportation network and high car dependency, leading to potential traffic congestion.
High humidity levels experienced throughout most of the year.
Risk of heavy flooding during the monsoon season, typically from October to February.
English fluency can be inconsistent outside of business contexts, potentially posing a language barrier for some expatriates.
Bureaucracy for long-stay visas and other administrative processes can be slow and document-heavy.
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.
Kuantan
#2Pahang, Malaysia
85.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$235
Avg Salary
$11,796
Cost Index
45
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
94/yr
Avg Temp
80.70°F
Pop. Growth
1.04%
Unemployment
2.00%
Livability
70
Business
75
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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