City Comparison
Fort Saskatchewan vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fort Saskatchewan scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fort Saskatchewan
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in Fort Saskatchewan.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fort Saskatchewan's average rent is
19% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Fort Saskatchewan | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,138 | +19% |
| Groceries | $450 | $404 | +11% |
| Utilities | $210 | $194 | +8% |
| Transport | $130 | $312 | -58% |
| Healthcare | $180 | $226 | -20% |
| Monthly Total | $2,320 | $2,274 | +2% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fort Saskatchewan offers 24% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Fort Saskatchewan delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fort Saskatchewan is estimated at
$52,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Fort Saskatchewan | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,833 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $83,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Fort Saskatchewan runs warmer on average — a 38.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Fort Saskatchewan comes out ahead with 281 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Fort Saskatchewan sees 40.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fort Saskatchewan | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 38.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 71.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | -1.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 17.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 40.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 281 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Fort Saskatchewan.
Fort Saskatchewan scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Fort Saskatchewan leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fort Saskatchewan | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Fort Saskatchewan.
From a growth perspective, Fort Saskatchewan 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 | Fort Saskatchewan | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 31,165 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.93% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.80% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fort Saskatchewan
Advantages
Average household income exceeds $118,000, ranking among the highest in the regional municipal tier.
Strategically positioned adjacent to Alberta's Industrial Heartland, offering abundant high-paying technical and engineering careers.
Exceptional community safety profile with crime rates notably lower than the provincial and national urban averages.
Extensive network of over 75 kilometers of paved multi-use trail systems connecting parks and neighborhoods.
Lower average residential rent and housing purchase costs compared to neighboring Edmonton proper.
Drawbacks
High degree of car dependency due to limited intra-city public transit infrastructure.
Local rental market inventory can experience tight vacancy periods during peaks of industrial project expansions.
Winters feature prolonged sub-zero temperatures requiring robust winterization and vehicle maintenance (-1°F winter low) [Open-Meteo].
Proximity to heavy industrial zones means occasional industrial flaring or localized air quality advisories.
Retail and dining variety remains somewhat limited compared to major metropolitan centers, requiring trips to Edmonton for specialty goods.
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.
Fort Saskatchewan
#13Alberta, Canada
70.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
281/yr
Avg Temp
38.40°F
Pop. Growth
1.93%
Unemployment
5.80%
Livability
80
Business
74
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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