Demo mode active: payments are running in test mode — no real charges will be made to your card. Testing gateway
Charnwood
Australian Capital Territory, Australia
#1 in Australia
72
Overall Score
VS
Binghamton
New York, USA
#100 in USA
65
Overall Score
Charnwood scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Charnwood
Binghamton
Livability
74
68
Affordability
65
75
Business
68
60
Growth
70
58

Cost of Living

Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately 19% higher compared to Charnwood. Housing costs are a major driver: Charnwood's average rent is 49% higher than Binghamton's.
MetricCharnwoodBinghamtonDiff
Average Rent
$1,700$1,138+49%
Groceries
$450$404+11%
Utilities
$180$194-7%
Transport
$120$312-62%
Healthcare
$250$226+11%
Monthly Total
$2,700$2,274+19%
Cost Index
95110out of 100

Salary & Income

Charnwood offers 30% higher average salaries. However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Charnwood delivers stronger purchasing power — meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day. The minimum comfortable salary in Charnwood is estimated at $55,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
MetricCharnwoodBinghamton
Average Salary
$71,300$55,000
Salary Needed
$55,000$45,000
Purchasing Power
75,053 idx50,000 idx
Household Income
$67,090$45,578

Climate Comparison

Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
MetricCharnwoodBinghamton
Avg Temp
°F°F
Summer High
°F°F
Winter Low
°F°F
Rainfall
in in
Snowfall
in in
Sunny Days
Humidity
65.00%70.00%

Commute & Transport

Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly 4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Charnwood. Charnwood scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living. For walkability, Charnwood leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
MetricCharnwoodBinghamton
Commute Time
25 min16 min
Transit Score
55.0/1033.0/10
Walkability
60.0/1055.0/10
Traffic Index
45.0030.00
Car Dependency
MediumMedium

Economy & Demographics

Binghamton is the larger city — approximately 0.1x the population of Charnwood. From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services. On the employment side, Charnwood has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
MetricCharnwoodBinghamton
Population
3,05546,773
Pop. Growth
0.03%0.90%
Median Age
35.035.9
Unemployment
4.09%4.30%
GDP
$0.0B$13.0B

Pros & Cons

Charnwood
Advantages
Affordable property prices compared to ACT averages, offering good entry points for buyers.
Strong community-oriented environment with local markets and festivals fostering a sense of belonging.
Proximity to Belconnen Town Centre provides convenient access to shopping, arts, and recreational facilities.
Crime in Charnwood decreased by 100% from 2024 to 2025, with no homicide cases reported in 2025.
Median house prices in Charnwood saw a 5.6% growth from July 2025 to July 2026.
Drawbacks
Limited high-end properties available in the suburb.
Market fluctuations can occur, impacting property values.
Distance from Canberra's CBD means a longer commute for some residents.
Higher rates of break-ins and motor vehicle theft compared to the ACT average in 2022-2024.
Most daily errands require a car, indicating a medium car dependency.
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.

Dive Deeper

Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.

Charnwood
#1
Australian Capital Territory, Australia
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,700
Avg Salary
$71,300
Cost Index
95
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.03%
Unemployment
4.09%
Livability
74
Business
68
View Full Profile
Binghamton
#100
New 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
View Full Profile

Calculate Your Cost Impact

Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Charnwood and Binghamton.

Open Cost Calculator