City Comparison
Grande Prairie vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Grande Prairie scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Grande Prairie
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grande Prairie is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
4% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Grande Prairie's average rent is
16% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Grande Prairie | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,315 | $1,138 | +16% |
| Groceries | $400 | $404 | -1% |
| Utilities | $180 | $194 | -7% |
| Transport | $90 | $312 | -71% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $226 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $2,185 | $2,274 | -4% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grande Prairie offers 18% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Grande Prairie delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Grande Prairie is estimated at
$52,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Grande Prairie | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,421 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $74,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Grande Prairie runs warmer on average — a 38.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Grande Prairie comes out ahead with 272 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Grande Prairie sees 49 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Grande Prairie | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 38.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 72.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 0.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 14.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 49.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 272 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Grande Prairie scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Binghamton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Grande Prairie | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grande Prairie is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Grande Prairie 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 | Grande Prairie | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 70,385 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 6.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Grande Prairie
Advantages
Median home purchase prices and rental rates remain significantly lower than major Canadian urban centers
High average household and family incomes provide strong purchasing power and discretionary income
Abundant employment opportunities across thriving energy, forestry, and agricultural sectors
State-of-the-art regional hospital and healthcare infrastructure serving northwestern Alberta
Extensive modern recreational and athletic facilities, including the massive Eastlink Centre
Drawbacks
Severe winter conditions with prolonged freezing temperatures increase heating and utility costs
High reliance on personal vehicles due to limited public transit coverage outside core areas
Property crime rates can occasionally trend higher than the national rural average
Geographic isolation from major metropolitan hubs like Edmonton requires significant travel for specific specialized services
Economic cycles closely tied to global commodity and energy markets create occasional employment volatility
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.
Grande Prairie
#43Alberta, Canada
61.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,315
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
272/yr
Avg Temp
38.90°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
6.50%
Livability
75
Business
70
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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