Performance
Score Breakdown
Oakville
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
9% higher compared to Oakville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Oakville's average rent is
54% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Oakville | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,749 | $1,138 | +54% |
| Groceries | $339 | $404 | -16% |
| Utilities | $180 | $194 | -7% |
| Transport | $108 | $312 | -65% |
| Healthcare | $110 | $226 | -51% |
| Monthly Total | $2,486 | $2,274 | +9% |
| Cost Index | 86 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Oakville offers 40% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Oakville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Oakville is estimated at
$68,904 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Oakville | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $76,896 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $68,904 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 89,414 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $110,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Oakville | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 71.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Oakville has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
8,000 minutes (133 hours) per year compared to Binghamton.
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 | Oakville | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 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
Oakville is the larger city
— approximately 5x 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 | Oakville | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 233,700 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 35.9 | |
| Unemployment | 6.91% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Oakville
Advantages
Oakville consistently ranks among the safest communities in Canada with a low crime rate.
The town offers excellent access to healthcare services, ranking highly in Ontario and Canada.
Oakville has a highly educated population, with over 85% of adults holding post-secondary degrees.
The median household income in Oakville is significantly higher than the provincial average, indicating strong economic prosperity.
Oakville is recognized for its vibrant community and high quality of life.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Oakville, particularly housing, is considerably higher than the national average.
Despite a recent drop, average rent in Oakville remains one of the highest in the country.
A car is generally essential for getting around Oakville due to its suburban layout.
Some services not covered by OHIP, such as doctor's notes or certain forms, incur additional fees.
While amenities are good, the amenities score can be surprisingly low in some livability assessments.
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.
Oakville
#3Ontario, Canada
80.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,749
Avg Salary
$76,896
Cost Index
86
Commute
min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
6.91%
Livability
84
Business
75
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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