City Comparison
Selkirk vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Selkirk scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Selkirk
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Selkirk.
Housing costs are a major driver: Selkirk's average rent is
23% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Selkirk | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,400 | $1,138 | +23% |
| Groceries | $400 | $404 | -1% |
| Utilities | $180 | $194 | -7% |
| Transport | $120 | $312 | -62% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $226 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $2,300 | $2,274 | +1% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Selkirk offers 5% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Selkirk delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Selkirk is estimated at
$50,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Selkirk | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,184 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $65,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Selkirk runs warmer on average — a 39.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Selkirk comes out ahead with 270 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Selkirk sees 28.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Selkirk | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 39.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 75.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | -4.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 25.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 28.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 270 | |
| Humidity | 60.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Selkirk scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Selkirk leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Selkirk | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Selkirk.
From a growth perspective, Selkirk 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 | Selkirk | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,200 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.00% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 42.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 6.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Selkirk
Advantages
Abundant access to outdoor recreation including hiking, fishing, and winter sports
Lower average housing costs compared to major British Columbia urban centers
Strong community safety and low neighborhood crime rates
Scenic natural surroundings with clean air and a relaxed pace of life
Tight-knit community feel with active local civic engagement
Drawbacks
Limited public transportation infrastructure requiring high car dependency
Fewer high-paying corporate job opportunities locally
Colder winter temperatures require higher seasonal heating costs
Limited specialized healthcare services locally requiring travel
Smaller local market for entertainment, dining, and cultural venues
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.
Selkirk
#51British Columbia, Canada
60.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,400
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
270/yr
Avg Temp
39.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.00%
Unemployment
6.50%
Livability
77
Business
65
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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