Performance
Score Breakdown
Sharjah City
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Sharjah City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
25% lower compared to Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Sharjah City's average rent is
22% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Sharjah City | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $882 | $1,138 | -22% |
| Groceries | $327 | $404 | -19% |
| Utilities | $270 | $194 | +39% |
| Transport | $68 | $312 | -78% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $226 | -34% |
| Monthly Total | $1,697 | $2,274 | -25% |
| Cost Index | 50 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 5% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Sharjah City delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Sharjah City is estimated at
$20,677 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Sharjah City | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,316 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $20,677 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 104,632 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $37,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Sharjah City | 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
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Sharjah City.
Sharjah City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Sharjah City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Sharjah City | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/10 | 33.0/10 |
| Walkability | 68.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 303.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Sharjah City is the larger city
— approximately 40.6x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Sharjah City is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Sharjah City has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Sharjah City | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,899,202 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 5.13% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 2.17% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Sharjah City
Advantages
Sharjah offers a more affordable cost of living compared to neighboring Dubai, particularly in terms of accommodation.
The city is consistently ranked among the safest globally, with a high safety index score of 84.5 in January 2026.
Sharjah's economy is experiencing strong growth, with a 45% increase in new jobs created in H1 2025 and a 14% rise in new business registrations in 2025.
The healthcare system provides quality medical services with 10 hospitals and medical centers, and the UAE ranks highly in global healthcare quality indicators.
Sharjah is a cultural and educational hub, recognized by UNESCO, offering a rich heritage and a family-friendly environment.
Drawbacks
Sharjah experiences high car dependency, with over 83% of commuters using cars, leading to significant traffic congestion.
The city's walkability score is moderate at 68, indicating that some errands require a car.
Summers are very hot and arid, with average temperatures often exceeding 30-35°C, which can be challenging for outdoor activities.
Specific data for certain city-level metrics like median age and unemployment rate are not readily available, often requiring reliance on broader UAE national data.
While public transport exists, the high car dependency suggests that the public transit network may not be as comprehensive or preferred as private vehicles.
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.
Sharjah City
#2Sharjah, UAE
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$882
Avg Salary
$52,316
Cost Index
50
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
40.0/10
Walkability
68.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
5.13%
Unemployment
2.17%
Livability
77
Business
80
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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