City Comparison
Chateauguay vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Chateauguay scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Chateauguay
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Chateauguay is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Chateauguay's average rent is
19% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Chateauguay | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,138 | +19% |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +4% |
| Utilities | $160 | $194 | -18% |
| Transport | $110 | $312 | -65% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $226 | -3% |
| Monthly Total | $2,260 | $2,274 | -1% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Chateauguay offers 5% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Chateauguay delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Chateauguay is estimated at
$50,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Chateauguay | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,043 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $65,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Chateauguay runs warmer on average — a 45.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Chateauguay comes out ahead with 215 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Chateauguay sees 70.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Chateauguay | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 45.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 77.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 10.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 37.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 70.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 215 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,500 minutes (125 hours) per year compared to Chateauguay.
Chateauguay scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Chateauguay leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Chateauguay | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Chateauguay is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Chateauguay 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 | Chateauguay | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 50,785 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.80% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Chateauguay
Advantages
More affordable housing options and larger property sizes compared to central Montreal
Scenic location along the Châteauguay River and Lake Saint-Louis with extensive parks and bike paths
Bilingual community atmosphere offering strong services in both French and English
Relatively low crime rates and a secure environment ideal for raising families
Convenient proximity to Montreal via Highway 30 and regional commuter transit routes
Drawbacks
High reliance on personal vehicles and potential bridge traffic bottlenecks during peak commuting hours
Provincial tax rates in Quebec are higher than in several other Canadian provinces
Public transit options are more limited outside of peak commuting hours
Limited high-tech or heavy corporate job HQs within city limits, requiring commutes for specific sectors
Colder winter weather with significant annual snowfall requiring active maintenance
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.
Chateauguay
#39Quebec, Canada
63.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
215/yr
Avg Temp
45.90°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
5.80%
Livability
76
Business
68
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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