City Comparison
Balik Pulau vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Balik Pulau scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Balik Pulau
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Balik Pulau is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
46% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Balik Pulau's average rent is
43% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Balik Pulau | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $650 | $1,138 | -43% |
| Groceries | $300 | $404 | -26% |
| Utilities | $75 | $194 | -61% |
| Transport | $100 | $312 | -68% |
| Healthcare | $110 | $226 | -51% |
| Monthly Total | $1,235 | $2,274 | -46% |
| Cost Index | 42 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 60% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Balik Pulau delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Balik Pulau is estimated at
$18,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Balik Pulau | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $22,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $18,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,381 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $23,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Balik Pulau | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 82.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
8,000 minutes (133 hours) per year compared to Balik Pulau.
Balik Pulau 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 | Balik Pulau | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Balik Pulau is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Balik Pulau is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Balik Pulau has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Balik Pulau | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,000 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.30% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Balik Pulau
Advantages
Southwest district median household income sits at a competitive RM8,919 per month, outperforming many national benchmarks.
Housing and rental costs are substantially lower than central George Town and the eastern coastlines.
Surrounded by lush natural scenery, fresh air, and famous agricultural heritage including orchards and paddy fields.
Upcoming private specialist hospital project slated for 2028 will greatly enhance local healthcare access.
Low crime rates and a strong community-centric, safe living environment.
Drawbacks
High car dependency with limited public transit infrastructure for daily commuting.
Commuting across the central hills to major employment hubs like Bayan Lepas can experience peak-hour bottlenecks.
Fewer entertainment, nightlife, and high-rise commercial retail options compared to eastern Penang.
Specialized medical treatments currently require traveling off-site to regional hospitals in George Town.
Vulnerability of arterial mountain roadways to occasional weather-related disruptions during heavy monsoon seasons.
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.
Balik Pulau
#21Penang (Pulau Pinang), Malaysia
80.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$650
Avg Salary
$22,000
Cost Index
42
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.30%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
78
Business
65
Binghamton
#603New York, USA
38.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,138
Avg Salary
$55,000
Cost Index
110
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
33.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
68
Business
60
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