Performance
Score Breakdown
Abbotsford
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
2% higher compared to Abbotsford.
Housing costs are a major driver: Abbotsford's average rent is
16% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Abbotsford | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,324 | $1,138 | +16% |
| Groceries | $446 | $404 | +10% |
| Utilities | $185 | $194 | -5% |
| Transport | $120 | $312 | -62% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $226 | +11% |
| Monthly Total | $2,325 | $2,274 | +2% |
| Cost Index | 75 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 39% 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 Abbotsford is estimated at
$45,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Abbotsford | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $33,790 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 45,053 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $63,306 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Abbotsford | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| 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 Abbotsford.
Abbotsford 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 | Abbotsford | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 70.0/10 | 33.0/10 |
| Walkability | 20.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Abbotsford is the larger city
— approximately 3.8x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Abbotsford 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 | Abbotsford | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 178,976 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.06% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 6.91% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Abbotsford
Advantages
Abbotsford's crime rates are 35% lower than the British Columbia average.
The cost of living in Abbotsford is 7% lower than the British Columbia average.
Abbotsford was ranked as the third-best city in Canada for livability in a March 2026 study, largely due to its affordability and disposable income.
The city has a strong economic climate and has been recognized as a favorable place to do business.
Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre is a 300-bed facility offering a wide range of healthcare services.
Drawbacks
Abbotsford's walkability score is low (2/10), meaning most destinations require a car.
A March 2026 study noted Abbotsford's safety ranking was lower compared to other major Canadian cities.
The city scores worse or no better in seven of nine indicators related to the healthy built environment.
Concerns about the quality of care at Abbotsford Regional Hospital have been raised in recent years.
Household incomes have not kept pace with the rising housing costs, which increased significantly between 2016 and 2021.
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.
Abbotsford
#13British Columbia, Canada
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,324
Avg Salary
$33,790
Cost Index
75
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
70.0/10
Walkability
20.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.06%
Unemployment
6.91%
Livability
73
Business
68
Binghamton
#94New 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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