City Comparison
Hangzhou vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Hangzhou scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hangzhou
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Hangzhou is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
57% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Hangzhou's average rent is
51% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Hangzhou | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $556 | $1,138 | -51% |
| Groceries | $222 | $404 | -45% |
| Utilities | $180 | $194 | -7% |
| Transport | $18 | $312 | -94% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $226 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $976 | $2,274 | -57% |
| Cost Index | 26 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 98% 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 Hangzhou is estimated at
$1,139 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Hangzhou | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $1,291 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $1,139 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 4,965 idx | 50,000 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Hangzhou runs warmer on average — a 67.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Hangzhou comes out ahead with 225 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Hangzhou sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Hangzhou | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 67.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 92.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 37.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 57.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 225 | |
| Humidity | 76.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Hangzhou has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
8,000 minutes (133 hours) per year compared to Binghamton.
Binghamton 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 | Hangzhou | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | — | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | — | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Hangzhou is the larger city
— approximately 271.5x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Hangzhou 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 | Hangzhou | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,700,000 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.33% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 35.9 | |
| Unemployment | 4.62% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hangzhou
Advantages
Hangzhou has maintained double-digit population growth for 10 consecutive years, indicating strong appeal and economic vitality.
The city's core digital industries contributed 28.8% to its GDP in 2024, showcasing a robust and growing tech sector.
Hangzhou is considered a very safe city with low violent crime rates, making it comfortable for residents and tourists.
The public transportation system, particularly the metro, is efficient, modern, and expanding, offering convenient commuting options.
The city offers a high quality of life with pedestrian-friendly streets, scenic urban planning, and abundant cultural and outdoor activities.
Drawbacks
Rent in Hangzhou, especially in the city center, is relatively high compared to the average local wage.
Traffic congestion can be an issue during peak hours in the main urban areas.
Petty theft can occur in crowded tourist areas, requiring visitors to be vigilant.
Summer months in Hangzhou are characterized by oppressive heat and high humidity.
While generally safe, property crimes like residential burglary and telecommunications fraud are more common.
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.
Hangzhou
#1Zhejiang, China
85.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$556
Avg Salary
$1,291
Cost Index
26
Commute
min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
225/yr
Avg Temp
67.30°F
Pop. Growth
2.33%
Unemployment
4.62%
Livability
74
Business
75
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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