City Comparison
Perai vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Perai scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Perai
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Perai is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
60% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Perai's average rent is
60% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Perai | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $450 | $1,138 | -60% |
| Groceries | $250 | $404 | -38% |
| Utilities | $75 | $194 | -61% |
| Transport | $60 | $312 | -81% |
| Healthcare | $80 | $226 | -65% |
| Monthly Total | $915 | $2,274 | -60% |
| Cost Index | 42 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 74% 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 Perai is estimated at
$12,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Perai | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $14,500 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $12,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 34,524 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $16,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Perai runs warmer on average — a 82.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Perai comes out ahead with 118 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Perai sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Perai | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 82.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 90.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 74.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 107.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 118 | |
| Humidity | 82.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,000 minutes (117 hours) per year compared to Perai.
Perai scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Perai leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Perai | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 62.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Perai is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Perai is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Perai has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Perai | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,000 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Perai
Advantages
Significantly lower cost of living and housing compared to Penang Island.
Strategic mainland location with direct access to the Penang Bridge and North-South Expressway.
Robust job market driven by the Prai Free Industrial Zone and manufacturing sectors.
Rich culinary scene featuring diverse local Malaysian cuisine and hawker centers.
Proximity to established healthcare facilities and educational institutions.
Drawbacks
Heavy industrial traffic congestion during morning and evening peak hours.
Air and noise pollution in close proximity to major industrial zones.
Limited high-end entertainment and nightlife options compared to George Town.
Pedestrian infrastructure can be lacking in older industrial and commercial pockets.
Prone to occasional localized flash flooding during heavy monsoon downpours.
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.
Perai
#35Penang (Pulau Pinang), Malaysia
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$450
Avg Salary
$14,500
Cost Index
42
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
118/yr
Avg Temp
82.50°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
72
Business
74
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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