Performance
Score Breakdown
Shijiazhuang
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Shijiazhuang is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
72% lower compared to Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Shijiazhuang's average rent is
79% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Shijiazhuang | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $237 | $1,138 | -79% |
| Groceries | $250 | $404 | -38% |
| Utilities | $70 | $194 | -64% |
| Transport | $20 | $312 | -94% |
| Healthcare | $50 | $226 | -78% |
| Monthly Total | $627 | $2,274 | -72% |
| Cost Index | 25 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 82% 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 Shijiazhuang is estimated at
$9,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Shijiazhuang | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $9,729 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $9,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 38,916 idx | 50,000 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Shijiazhuang | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
9,500 minutes (158 hours) per year compared to Shijiazhuang.
Shijiazhuang scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Shijiazhuang | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 35 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 65.0/10 | 33.0/10 |
| Walkability | 55.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Shijiazhuang is the larger city
— approximately 240.5x 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 | Shijiazhuang | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,246,900 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 35.9 | |
| Unemployment | 4.62% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $128.7B | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Shijiazhuang
Advantages
Strategic industrial development in biomedicine, new-generation electronic information, and advanced manufacturing sectors.
Extensive and developing public transportation network, including metro and bus systems.
Relatively low cost of living, particularly for housing, compared to many major cities.
High perceived safety with very low crime rates reported.
Significant economic growth, with the city's GDP reaching $128.69 billion USD in 2025.
Drawbacks
Average monthly net salary is relatively low at approximately $811 USD.
Nominal residential property price growth has seen declines in early 2026.
Historically, air pollution has been a concern, though recent data is not available.
Limited specific data available for certain metrics like unemployment rate and median age.
Summers can be hot and humid, and winters freezing and dry.
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.
Shijiazhuang
#5Hebei, China
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$237
Avg Salary
$9,729
Cost Index
25
Commute
35 min
Transit Score
65.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.62%
Livability
65
Business
70
Binghamton
#90New 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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