Performance
Score Breakdown
Douai
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Douai is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
26% lower compared to Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Douai's average rent is
34% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Douai | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $750 | $1,138 | -34% |
| Groceries | $400 | $404 | -1% |
| Utilities | $185 | $194 | -5% |
| Transport | $90 | $312 | -71% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $226 | +11% |
| Monthly Total | $1,675 | $2,274 | -26% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 36% 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 Douai is estimated at
$30,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Douai | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $35,387 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $30,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 37,249 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $32,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Douai | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 78.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Douai.
Douai scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Douai leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Douai | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 33.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Douai.
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 | Douai | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,250 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.25% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 7.30% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Douai
Advantages
Douai's historic belfry is a UNESCO World Heritage site, offering cultural and architectural significance.
The city offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to the French national average, with competitive rental prices.
Douai is well-connected by train to major cities like Lille and Paris, facilitating travel and commuting.
The city has a vibrant cultural scene, including the traditional Gayant giants festival, which is a UNESCO-recognized tradition.
Douai benefits from its location on the River Scarpe, offering pleasant waterfront areas for recreation and relaxation.
Drawbacks
The unemployment rate in Douai has historically been higher than the national average.
Public transport reliability can be an issue, with reports of delays on train lines and less reliable bus services in surrounding villages.
While generally safe, some areas may have higher crime rates, and the city's safety index is noted as 44 by one source.
The city's economy has faced challenges due to the decline of traditional industries like coal mining and textiles.
Nightlife options in Douai are limited, with 'nothing or almost nothing' reported by some 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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Douai
#7Hauts-de-France, France
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$750
Avg Salary
$35,387
Cost Index
95
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.25%
Unemployment
7.30%
Livability
72
Business
65
Binghamton
#111New 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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