Performance
Score Breakdown
Prince George
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Prince George is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
38% lower compared to Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Prince George's average rent is
34% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Prince George | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $748 | $1,138 | -34% |
| Groceries | $450 | $404 | +11% |
| Utilities | $176 | $194 | -9% |
| Transport | $44 | $312 | -86% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $226 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,418 | $2,274 | -38% |
| Cost Index | 1633 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 94% 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 Prince George is estimated at
$3,413 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Prince George | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $3,181 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $3,413 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 195 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $104,700 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Prince George | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 57.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
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 | Prince George | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 33.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Prince George is the larger city
— approximately 1.6x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Prince George 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 | Prince George | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,708 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.90% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.48% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Prince George
Advantages
Significantly lower housing costs compared to other major cities in British Columbia, offering substantial savings for residents.
Short average commute times, often around 15-17 minutes, contributing to a better work-life balance.
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities year-round, including skiing, snowshoeing, and lake activities.
A resilient and diverse economy with strong sectors in forestry, resources, logistics, and healthcare.
Serves as a regional hub for education, healthcare, and government services, providing essential amenities and employment.
Drawbacks
Winters can be harsh with temperatures dropping significantly and substantial snowfall.
Labor market faces challenges due to an aging workforce and shortages in certain skilled trades and healthcare occupations.
Population growth has been modest, with recent stagnation attributed to a decline in non-permanent residents and limited net in-migration.
Competitiveness in industrial sectors needs to be improved relative to Northern Alberta, where land is cheaper and approvals are quicker.
Public transportation system is considered "okay" and car dependency is medium to high for most residents.
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.
Prince George
#13British Columbia, Canada
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$748
Avg Salary
$3,181
Cost Index
1633
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.90%
Unemployment
5.48%
Livability
74
Business
68
Binghamton
#89New 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
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