Performance
Score Breakdown
Gatineau
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Gatineau is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
0% lower compared to Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Gatineau's average rent is
19% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Gatineau | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,353 | $1,138 | +19% |
| Groceries | $400 | $404 | -1% |
| Utilities | $180 | $194 | -7% |
| Transport | $90 | $312 | -71% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $226 | +11% |
| Monthly Total | $2,273 | $2,274 | -0% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Gatineau offers 18% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Gatineau delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Gatineau is estimated at
$55,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Gatineau | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,421 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $82,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Gatineau | 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 Gatineau.
Gatineau 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 | Gatineau | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 33.0/10 |
| Walkability | 37.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Gatineau is the larger city
— approximately 6.6x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Gatineau is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Gatineau has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Gatineau | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,193 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.01% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 40.3 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Gatineau
Advantages
Gatineau offers a significantly lower cost of living compared to Ottawa, with an aggregate house price of $438,000 in 2024, approximately $300,000 less than Ottawa.
The city is recognized as one of Canada's most affordable cities, ranking 15th on a list by Royal LePage in 2024.
Gatineau provides a more affordable housing market, with median single-family home prices around $490,000, similar to the previous year, and condos slightly increasing to $312,000.
The city is part of the National Capital Region, offering access to a broad job market and a wide range of industries, particularly in public administration and technology.
Gatineau boasts a rich natural environment with Gatineau Park offering extensive opportunities for outdoor recreation year-round.
Drawbacks
Rental prices in Gatineau have increased, with average rents climbing by 7.6% in 2024, exceeding national inflation and making it difficult to secure affordable housing.
The housing market faces pressure from population growth and migration from Ottawa, leading to low vacancy rates and affordability challenges.
While public transit is available, Gatineau is generally car-dependent, with most errands requiring a vehicle.
Healthcare services in Gatineau may have longer wait times and less robust emergency care compared to Ottawa.
Childcare costs are substantially lower in Gatineau, but there are limited English-speaking education options.
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.
Gatineau
#13Quebec, Canada
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,353
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
37.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.01%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
74
Business
68
Binghamton
#100New 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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