City Comparison
Taiping vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Taiping scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Taiping
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Taiping is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
62% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Taiping's average rent is
58% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Taiping | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $481 | $1,138 | -58% |
| Groceries | $212 | $404 | -48% |
| Utilities | $90 | $194 | -54% |
| Transport | $8 | $312 | -97% |
| Healthcare | $78 | $226 | -65% |
| Monthly Total | $869 | $2,274 | -62% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Taiping offers 18% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Taiping delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Taiping is estimated at
$55,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Taiping | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,421 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $62,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Taiping runs warmer on average — a 81.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Taiping comes out ahead with 95 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Taiping sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Taiping | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 81.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 89.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 73.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 136.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 95 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Taiping.
Taiping scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Taiping leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Taiping | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Taiping is the larger city
— approximately 5.2x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Taiping is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Taiping has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Taiping | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,182 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.76% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Taiping
Advantages
Affordable cost of living, with a single person estimated to spend around $555 per month excluding rent.
Rich in natural beauty, featuring the renowned Taiping Lake Gardens and lush greenery due to high rainfall.
Diverse cultural landscape with significant Bumiputera, Chinese, and Indian communities contributing to its vibrant traditions and cuisine.
Historical significance as a former administrative capital and a pioneer in Malaysian healthcare, with well-preserved heritage sites.
Growing high-tech manufacturing sector, with recent investments in advanced facilities like cleanrooms for semiconductors and pharmaceuticals.
Drawbacks
High annual rainfall, while contributing to greenery, can lead to frequent wet conditions throughout the year.
Average monthly net salary is relatively low, estimated around RM 2,250 ($554 USD), which may impact purchasing power despite low living costs.
Limited information on specific public transit scores and walkability, suggesting potential reliance on private vehicles for some commutes.
While growing, the job market may still be developing in specialized high-tech sectors compared to larger metropolitan areas.
Property price appreciation has been significant in recent years (31.1% in the last 12 months for median transacted price), potentially impacting affordability for some buyers.
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.
Taiping
#76Perak, Malaysia
61.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$481
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
95/yr
Avg Temp
81.30°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
3.76%
Livability
74
Business
68
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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