City Comparison
Zhuanghe vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Zhuanghe scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Zhuanghe
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Zhuanghe is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
71% lower compared to Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Zhuanghe's average rent is
81% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Zhuanghe | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $212 | $1,138 | -81% |
| Groceries | $159 | $404 | -61% |
| Utilities | $30 | $194 | -85% |
| Transport | $16 | $312 | -95% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $226 | +11% |
| Monthly Total | $667 | $2,274 | -71% |
| Cost Index | 30 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 82% 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 Zhuanghe is estimated at
$6,864 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Zhuanghe | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $9,960 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $6,864 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 33,200 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $9,960 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Zhuanghe runs warmer on average — a 51.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Zhuanghe comes out ahead with 275 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Zhuanghe sees 4.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Zhuanghe | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 19.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 42.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 4.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 275 | |
| Humidity | % | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Binghamton scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Binghamton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Zhuanghe | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 33.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Zhuanghe is the larger city
— approximately 12x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton 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 | Zhuanghe | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 559,000 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 41.7 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.60% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Zhuanghe
Advantages
Extremely low cost of living, ranking among the least expensive cities globally and in China.
Affordable housing market with a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costing around $212 per month.
Low property purchase price of approximately $259.2 per square foot.
Moderate national economic growth forecast for China in 2026 supports potential job opportunities.
High national safety index of 83 for China indicates a generally secure environment.
Drawbacks
Lack of specific data for many key city metrics, including top industries, hospital count, and detailed transit/walkability scores.
Median household income and average salary figures derived from available data are very low compared to national GDP per capita.
Limited information on specific local economic drivers or new business growth rates for Zhuanghe.
Aging national demographic trend, with China's median age at 41.7 years in 2026, may impact future workforce dynamics.
Moderate urban connectivity and lack of specific transit scores suggest potential limitations in public transportation accessibility.
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.
Zhuanghe
#7Liaoning, China
84.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$212
Avg Salary
$9,960
Cost Index
30
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
275/yr
Avg Temp
51.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.60%
Livability
70
Business
50
Binghamton
#165New York, USA
38.0 / 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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