Performance
Score Breakdown
Toronto
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
5% higher compared to Toronto.
Housing costs are a major driver: Toronto's average rent is
48% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Toronto | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,686 | $1,138 | +48% |
| Groceries | $353 | $404 | -13% |
| Utilities | $155 | $194 | -20% |
| Transport | $92 | $312 | -71% |
| Healthcare | $100 | $226 | -56% |
| Monthly Total | $2,386 | $2,274 | +5% |
| Cost Index | 71 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 4% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Toronto delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Toronto is estimated at
$55,013 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Toronto | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,898 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,013 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 74,504 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $59,245 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Toronto | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
8,000 minutes (133 hours) per year compared to Toronto.
Toronto scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Toronto leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Toronto | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 78.0/10 | 33.0/10 |
| Walkability | 71.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 180.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Toronto is the larger city
— approximately 64.7x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Toronto 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 | Toronto | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,025,647 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 3.90% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 8.90% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Toronto
Advantages
Toronto was the fastest-growing metropolitan area in Canada and the U.S. for the second consecutive year, with its population surging by 3.9% between July 2023 and July 2024.
The city is a major business hub with a strong job market, particularly in high-demand fields like technology (fintech, AI) and healthcare.
Toronto boasts a highly diverse and multicultural population, with over half of its residents born outside of Canada, contributing to a rich cultural landscape.
The public transit system (TTC) is comprehensive, offering extensive subway, streetcar, and bus networks for easy navigation without a car.
Toronto offers a vibrant arts and culture scene, diverse culinary options, and numerous parks and green spaces for a high quality of life.
Drawbacks
Toronto has a high cost of living, with average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center around $1,479 USD per month as of July 2026.
The unemployment rate in Toronto was elevated at 8.9% in September 2025, higher than both provincial and national averages.
The housing market faces significant affordability challenges, with average home prices reaching $1.05 million CAD in July 2024.
Rapid population growth has strained transportation infrastructure, leading to traffic congestion and longer commute times, averaging 32 minutes.
Despite job growth, the influx of workers has outpaced job absorption in some sectors, contributing to the higher unemployment rate.
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.
Toronto
#13Ontario, Canada
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,686
Avg Salary
$52,898
Cost Index
71
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
78.0/10
Walkability
71.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
3.90%
Unemployment
8.90%
Livability
74
Business
70
Binghamton
#98New 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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