City Comparison
Haridwar vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Haridwar scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Haridwar
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Haridwar is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
80% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Haridwar's average rent is
84% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Haridwar | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $180 | $1,138 | -84% |
| Groceries | $150 | $404 | -63% |
| Utilities | $45 | $194 | -77% |
| Transport | $30 | $312 | -90% |
| Healthcare | $50 | $226 | -78% |
| Monthly Total | $455 | $2,274 | -80% |
| Cost Index | 28 | 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 Haridwar is estimated at
$350 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Haridwar | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $450 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $350 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 1,607 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $5,400 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Haridwar runs warmer on average — a 73°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Haridwar comes out ahead with 273 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Haridwar sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Haridwar | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 73.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 90.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 46.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 45.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 273 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Haridwar.
Haridwar scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Haridwar leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Haridwar | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Haridwar is the larger city
— approximately 4.9x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Haridwar 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 | Haridwar | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 228,832 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Haridwar
Advantages
Significantly lower cost of living compared to major Indian metropolitan areas.
Major industrial hub (SIDCUL) providing steady manufacturing and corporate employment.
Rich cultural, spiritual, and historical environment with scenic Himalayan foothills backdrop.
Good railway connectivity linking Haridwar directly to major national destinations.
Thriving tourism economy offering continuous local business and retail opportunities.
Drawbacks
Severe traffic congestion and crowding during peak religious festivals and pilgrimage seasons.
Air and water management challenges due to rapid industrialization and high tourist influx.
Limited high-end entertainment and cosmopolitan nightlife options compared to tier-1 cities.
Summer temperatures can be quite high, requiring heavy reliance on cooling systems.
Limited availability of niche high-tech or startup-focused corporate ecosystems.
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.
Haridwar
#69Uttarakhand, India
79.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$180
Avg Salary
$450
Cost Index
28
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
273/yr
Avg Temp
73.00°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
73
Business
69
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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