Performance
Score Breakdown
Montreal
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Montreal is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
13% lower compared to Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Montreal's average rent is
19% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Montreal | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,351 | $1,138 | +19% |
| Groceries | $356 | $404 | -12% |
| Utilities | $107 | $194 | -45% |
| Transport | $100 | $312 | -68% |
| Healthcare | $71 | $226 | -69% |
| Monthly Total | $1,985 | $2,274 | -13% |
| Cost Index | 63 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 3% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Montreal delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Montreal is estimated at
$42,780 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Montreal | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $53,475 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,780 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 84,881 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $45,335 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Montreal | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,500 minutes (108 hours) per year compared to Montreal.
Montreal scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Montreal leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Montreal | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 77.0/10 | 33.0/10 |
| Walkability | 87.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 39.78 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Low | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Montreal is the larger city
— approximately 41.6x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Montreal 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 | Montreal | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,945,359 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 5.30% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 40.6 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 6.80% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Montreal
Advantages
Montreal boasts a vibrant cultural scene with numerous festivals and events year-round, including the Just For Laughs Festival and the Montreal Fireworks Festival.
The city is highly walkable (Walk Score 87) and offers excellent public transportation (Transit Score 77), reducing the need for a car.
Montreal is North America's most bike-friendly city, with over 1,065 kilometers of bike lanes and paths.
The cost of living in Montreal is generally more affordable than in other major Canadian cities like Toronto and Vancouver.
Montreal's economy is diverse and resilient, with strong growth in sectors like aerospace, information technology, and digital media.
Drawbacks
Crimes against persons and hate crimes increased in Montreal in 2024.
Traffic congestion is a notable issue, with Montreal ranking among the most congested cities globally.
While overall rent is more affordable than some major cities, average rent prices have been consistently increasing.
The unemployment rate, while showing recent declines, climbed to 7.8% in 2024 before improving to 6.8% by December 2025.
The average commute time in Montreal is 29 minutes, which is among the highest in Canadian metro areas.
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.
Montreal
#5Quebec, Canada
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,351
Avg Salary
$53,475
Cost Index
63
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
77.0/10
Walkability
87.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
5.30%
Unemployment
6.80%
Livability
85
Business
75
Binghamton
#90New York, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,138
Avg Salary
$55,000
Cost Index
110
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
33.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
68
Business
60
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Montreal and Binghamton.
Open Cost Calculator