Urblytica 30 days free banner
Urblytica - Free Event Listing
List Business List Event

Tanah Rata vs Binghamton

Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.

Pahang, Malaysia
View Tanah Rata profile
#10 in Malaysia
82
Overall Score
VS
New York, USA
View Binghamton profile
#603 in USA
38
Overall Score
Tanah Rata scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Tanah Rata
Binghamton
Livability
76
68
Affordability
82
75
Business
65
60
Growth
68
58

Cost of Living

Tanah Rata is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about 64% lower than in Binghamton. Housing costs are a major driver: Tanah Rata's average rent is 69% lower than Binghamton's.
MetricTanah RataBinghamtonDiff
Average Rent
$350$1,138-69%
Groceries
$220$404-46%
Utilities
$65$194-66%
Transport
$75$312-76%
Healthcare
$110$226-51%
Monthly Total
$820$2,274-64%
Cost Index
52110out of 100

Salary & Income

Binghamton offers 83% 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 Tanah Rata is estimated at $8,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
MetricTanah RataBinghamton
Average Salary
$9,200$55,000
Salary Needed
$8,000$45,000
Purchasing Power
17,692 idx50,000 idx
Household Income
$12,500$45,578

Climate Comparison

Tanah Rata runs warmer on average — a 66.1°F difference year-round. For sunshine, Tanah Rata comes out ahead with 70 more sunny days per year, which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle. Winter severity differs too — Tanah Rata sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
MetricTanah RataBinghamton
Avg Temp
66.10°F°F
Summer High
72.90°F°F
Winter Low
58.80°F°F
Rainfall
94.20 in in
Snowfall
0.00 in in
Sunny Days
70
Humidity
85.00%70.00%

Commute & Transport

Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly 2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Tanah Rata. Tanah Rata scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living. For walkability, Tanah Rata leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
MetricTanah RataBinghamton
Commute Time
20 min16 min
Transit Score
45.0/10033.0/100
Walkability
62.0/10055.0/100
Traffic Index
58.0030.00
Car Dependency
MediumMedium

Economy & Demographics

Binghamton is the larger city — approximately 0.8x the population of Tanah Rata. From a growth perspective, Tanah Rata is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services. On the employment side, Tanah Rata has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
MetricTanah RataBinghamton
Population
38,50046,773
Pop. Growth
1.40%0.90%
Median Age
39.035.9
Unemployment
3.50%4.30%
GDP
—$13.0B

Pros & Cons

Tanah Rata
Advantages
Consistently cool mountain climate with average temperatures around 66°F, providing relief from tropical heat.
Proximity to major natural attractions, including extensive hiking trails, mossy forests, and tea plantations.
Lower overall cost of living and affordable local food options compared to major Malaysian metropolitan hubs.
Strong community safety profile with very low rates of violent crime.
Rich multicultural environment offering diverse culinary traditions and a relaxed, scenic lifestyle.
Drawbacks
Severe traffic congestion on weekends and public holidays due to heavy tourism influxes.
Limited high-paying professional career opportunities outside of tourism, agriculture, and hospitality.
Vulnerability to seasonal weather hazards, including heavy rainfall, fog, and occasional landslide risks.
Limited specialized healthcare facilities requiring travel to larger cities for advanced medical treatments.
Short-term rental dominance can drive up long-term housing costs for local 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.

Dive Deeper

Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.

Tanah Rata
#10
Pahang, Malaysia
81.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$350
Avg Salary
$9,200
Cost Index
52
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
70/yr
Avg Temp
66.10°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
76
Business
65
View Full Profile
Binghamton
#603
New 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
View Full Profile

Calculate Your Cost Impact

Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Tanah Rata and Binghamton.

Open Cost Calculator

Sponsored