Performance
Score Breakdown
Al Nakheel
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Al Nakheel is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
21% lower compared to Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Al Nakheel's average rent is
34% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Al Nakheel | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $747 | $1,138 | -34% |
| Groceries | $600 | $404 | +49% |
| Utilities | $180 | $194 | -7% |
| Transport | $150 | $312 | -52% |
| Healthcare | $120 | $226 | -47% |
| Monthly Total | $1,797 | $2,274 | -21% |
| Cost Index | 65 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 19% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Al Nakheel delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Al Nakheel is estimated at
$30,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Al Nakheel | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $44,795 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $30,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,915 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $72,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Al Nakheel | 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
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Al Nakheel.
Al Nakheel 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 | Al Nakheel | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/10 | 33.0/10 |
| Walkability | 50.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 60.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Al Nakheel.
From a growth perspective, Al Nakheel is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Al Nakheel has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Al Nakheel | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,000 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 3.00% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 32.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.00% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $13.0B | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Al Nakheel
Advantages
Cost of living is significantly lower than in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, particularly for housing.
Ras Al Khaimah's economy is growing rapidly, with strong performance in manufacturing and tourism.
The emirate was ranked 1st globally for expatriates to 'get started abroad' in 2024, indicating an easy transition for newcomers.
Access to a wide range of quality healthcare facilities, including several major hospitals.
Diverse natural landscapes offering extensive outdoor activities, from beaches to mountains.
Drawbacks
Public transportation frequency is limited, leading to high car dependency for most residents.
Summers are extremely hot and muggy, with temperatures regularly exceeding 40°C (104°F).
Specific, granular demographic data for Al Nakheel (e.g., median age, household income) is not readily available, requiring reliance on emirate-level estimates.
While growing, the entertainment and nightlife options may be less extensive compared to larger emirates like Dubai.
Some specific cost breakdowns, like doctor visits without insurance, require estimation due to lack of direct data.
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.
Al Nakheel
#7Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$747
Avg Salary
$44,795
Cost Index
65
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
40.0/10
Walkability
50.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
3.00%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
77
Business
80
Binghamton
#93New 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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