City Comparison
Grabouw vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Grabouw scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Grabouw
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grabouw is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
70% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Grabouw's average rent is
75% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Grabouw | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $280 | $1,138 | -75% |
| Groceries | $180 | $404 | -55% |
| Utilities | $90 | $194 | -54% |
| Transport | $50 | $312 | -84% |
| Healthcare | $80 | $226 | -65% |
| Monthly Total | $680 | $2,274 | -70% |
| Cost Index | 42 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 86% 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 Grabouw is estimated at
$6,200 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Grabouw | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $7,500 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $6,200 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 17,857 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $6,800 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Grabouw runs warmer on average — a 61.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Grabouw comes out ahead with 258 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Grabouw sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Grabouw | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 61.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 59.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 57.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 24.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 258 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Grabouw.
Grabouw scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Grabouw | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 55.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Grabouw.
From a growth perspective, Grabouw 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 | Grabouw | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 42,000 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.40% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 30.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 31.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Grabouw
Advantages
Located in the scenic Elgin Valley with world-class outdoor recreation, hiking, and mountain biking trails.
Major global hub for apple and pear production, providing steady agricultural and packaging industries.
Significantly lower cost of housing and daily living expenses compared to nearby Cape Town.
Strategic location along the N2 highway offering direct connectivity to the Western Cape metropole.
Mild and pleasant climate featuring high annual sunshine hours and moderate seasonal rainfall.
Drawbacks
High local unemployment rate and prevalent poverty within informal settlements.
Limited year-round professional and white-collar employment opportunities.
Lack of advanced local hospital facilities requires travel to neighboring towns for specialized care.
Economic vulnerability tied heavily to seasonal agricultural cycles and climate fluctuations.
Socioeconomic inequality leading to localized property crime and security challenges.
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.
Grabouw
#41Western Cape, South Africa
58.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$280
Avg Salary
$7,500
Cost Index
42
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
258/yr
Avg Temp
61.50°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
31.50%
Livability
64
Business
58
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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