Urblytica 30 days free banner
Urblytica - Free Event Listing
List Business List Event

Papar vs Binghamton

Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.

Sabah, Malaysia
View Papar profile
#33 in Malaysia
78
Overall Score
VS
New York, USA
View Binghamton profile
#603 in USA
38
Overall Score
Papar scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Papar
Binghamton
Livability
73
68
Affordability
82
75
Business
62
60
Growth
65
58

Cost of Living

Papar is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about 60% lower than in Binghamton. Housing costs are a major driver: Papar's average rent is 60% lower than Binghamton's.
MetricPaparBinghamtonDiff
Average Rent
$450$1,138-60%
Groceries
$250$404-38%
Utilities
$70$194-64%
Transport
$80$312-74%
Healthcare
$50$226-78%
Monthly Total
$900$2,274-60%
Cost Index
42110out of 100

Salary & Income

Binghamton offers 83% 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 Papar is estimated at $8,500 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
MetricPaparBinghamton
Average Salary
$9,600$55,000
Salary Needed
$8,500$45,000
Purchasing Power
22,857 idx50,000 idx
Household Income
$12,000$45,578

Climate Comparison

Papar runs warmer on average — a 80.8°F difference year-round. For sunshine, Papar comes out ahead with 133 more sunny days per year, which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle. Winter severity differs too — Papar sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
MetricPaparBinghamton
Avg Temp
80.80°F°F
Summer High
88.00°F°F
Winter Low
74.70°F°F
Rainfall
104.70 in in
Snowfall
0.00 in in
Sunny Days
133
Humidity
82.00%70.00%

Commute & Transport

Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly 14,500 minutes (242 hours) per year compared to Papar. Papar 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.
MetricPaparBinghamton
Commute Time
45 min16 min
Transit Score
40.0/10033.0/100
Walkability
50.0/10055.0/100
Traffic Index
48.0030.00
Car Dependency
HighMedium

Economy & Demographics

Papar is the larger city — approximately 3.1x the population of Binghamton. From a growth perspective, Papar is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services. On the employment side, Papar has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
MetricPaparBinghamton
Population
145,00046,773
Pop. Growth
1.50%0.90%
Median Age
31.035.9
Unemployment
4.00%4.30%
GDP
—$13.0B

Pros & Cons

Papar
Advantages
Significantly lower cost of living and housing compared to major Malaysian urban centers like Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu.
Abundant access to fresh local seafood, tropical fruits, and agricultural produce.
Strong sense of community with a rich multicultural heritage and vibrant local traditions.
Proximity to scenic beaches, rivers, and natural landscapes ideal for outdoor enthusiasts.
Relatively peaceful and low-crime environment conducive to families and retirees.
Drawbacks
Limited local job market diversity, requiring many residents to commute to Kota Kinabalu for specialized employment.
Public transportation options are sparse outside of major rail and bus routes, making car ownership nearly essential.
Fewer high-end entertainment, dining, and cultural amenities within the immediate district.
Vulnerability to seasonal tropical weather patterns, including heavy rainfall and localized flooding.
Advanced healthcare services require travel to Kota Kinabalu for specialized medical care.
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.

Dive Deeper

Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.

Papar
#33
Sabah, Malaysia
78.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$450
Avg Salary
$9,600
Cost Index
42
Commute
45 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
133/yr
Avg Temp
80.80°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
73
Business
62
View Full Profile
Binghamton
#603
New 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
View Full Profile

Calculate Your Cost Impact

Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Papar and Binghamton.

Open Cost Calculator

Sponsored