Performance
Score Breakdown
Surrey
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Surrey is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
8% lower compared to Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Surrey's average rent is
28% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Surrey | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,462 | $1,138 | +28% |
| Groceries | $287 | $404 | -29% |
| Utilities | $122 | $194 | -37% |
| Transport | $80 | $312 | -74% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $226 | -34% |
| Monthly Total | $2,101 | $2,274 | -8% |
| Cost Index | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 37% lower average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Surrey is estimated at
$45,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Surrey | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $34,490 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $45,000 |
| Household Income | $62,353 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Surrey | 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
10,500 minutes (175 hours) per year compared to Surrey.
Surrey 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 | Surrey | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 37 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 47.0/10 | 33.0/10 |
| Walkability | 46.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 163.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Surrey is the larger city
— approximately 15.4x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Surrey 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 | Surrey | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 721,000 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Surrey
Advantages
Surrey is one of Canada's fastest-growing cities, with a rapidly increasing population and strong economic indicators. [cite: 15, 43, previous search]
The city boasts a robust and diverse economy, with a company growth rate of 2.2% as of October 2025. [cite: 2, previous search]
Surrey's unemployment rate is low at 5.1% (October 2025), indicating a healthy job market. [cite: 2, previous search]
Crime rates in Surrey are 12% lower than the British Columbia average, contributing to a sense of safety. [cite: 31, previous search]
The city offers a more affordable cost of living compared to Vancouver, particularly in housing. [cite: 24, 29, previous search]
Drawbacks
Despite being more affordable than Vancouver, housing costs in Surrey remain a significant expense, with a median home price of $845,000 CAD in April 2026.
The average commute time is approximately 37 minutes, and traffic congestion can be high.
Surrey is considered a car-dependent city, with a Walk Score of 46 and a Transit Score of 47. [cite: 6, 14, previous search]
While public transit is available, the options are somewhat limited compared to more densely populated urban centers. [cite: 14, previous search]
Home care costs can be substantial, averaging around $3,440 USD per month for moderate care.
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.
Surrey
#13British Columbia, Canada
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,462
Avg Salary
$34,490
Cost Index
Commute
37 min
Transit Score
47.0/10
Walkability
46.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.50%
Unemployment
5.10%
Livability
74
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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