City Comparison
Chennai vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Chennai scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Chennai
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Chennai is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
79% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Chennai's average rent is
82% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Chennai | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $210 | $1,138 | -82% |
| Groceries | $130 | $404 | -68% |
| Utilities | $45 | $194 | -77% |
| Transport | $30 | $312 | -90% |
| Healthcare | $60 | $226 | -73% |
| Monthly Total | $475 | $2,274 | -79% |
| Cost Index | 20 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 99% 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 Chennai is estimated at
$450 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Chennai | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $750 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $450 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 3,750 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $9,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Chennai runs warmer on average — a 84°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Chennai comes out ahead with 217 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Chennai sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Chennai | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 84.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 95.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 73.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 66.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 217 | |
| Humidity | 75.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Chennai.
Chennai scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Chennai leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Chennai | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 46.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Chennai is the larger city
— approximately 278.7x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Chennai 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 | Chennai | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 13,037,000 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.81% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.40% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $196.5B | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Chennai
Advantages
Average monthly net salary after tax sits at roughly $750 (₹63,175), offering strong purchasing power against low local baseline expenses per Numbeo 2026 data.
Recognized as one of the safest major metropolitan cities in India with low violent crime rates and secure neighborhood environments per Numbeo safety indices.
World-class healthcare infrastructure featuring renowned multi-specialty hospitals at a fraction of Western medical costs, making it a leading global medical tourism hub.
A thriving technology and manufacturing job market anchored by the OMR IT corridor and heavy automotive sectors with steady employment growth.
Rich cultural heritage combined with a lower cost of living index (under 20 relative to New York base 100) providing exceptional financial breathing room for families.
Drawbacks
High summer temperatures and intense tropical humidity require heavy continuous air conditioning usage, driving up seasonal utility expenses.
Air quality and environmental pollution indices in certain industrial and heavy traffic sectors can reach moderate to high levels during peak dry periods.
Prone to seasonal urban water logging and localized flooding during the Northeast monsoon cyclones and heavy rainfall periods.
Peak-hour traffic congestion along major arterial corridors like Anna Salai and OMR lengthens commute times despite metro expansions.
Real estate prices and rental yields in prime central neighborhoods have surged rapidly, placing pressure on first-time home buyers.
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.
Chennai
#28Tamil Nadu, India
81.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$210
Avg Salary
$750
Cost Index
20
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
217/yr
Avg Temp
84.00°F
Pop. Growth
2.81%
Unemployment
4.40%
Livability
76
Business
72
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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