City Comparison
Hibiscus Coast vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Hibiscus Coast scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hibiscus Coast
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
21% lower than in Hibiscus Coast.
Housing costs are a major driver: Hibiscus Coast's average rent is
71% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Hibiscus Coast | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,138 | +71% |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +4% |
| Utilities | $175 | $194 | -10% |
| Transport | $130 | $312 | -58% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $226 | -3% |
| Monthly Total | $2,895 | $2,274 | +27% |
| Cost Index | 104 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Hibiscus Coast offers 24% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Hibiscus Coast delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Hibiscus Coast is estimated at
$58,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Hibiscus Coast | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,385 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $64,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Hibiscus Coast | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 74.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
9,500 minutes (158 hours) per year compared to Hibiscus Coast.
Hibiscus Coast scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Hibiscus Coast leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hibiscus Coast | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 35 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 54.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Hibiscus Coast is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Hibiscus Coast 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 | Hibiscus Coast | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 72,288 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 3.29% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 41.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hibiscus Coast
Advantages
Median home asking prices and property values reflect a robust, stable market with high modern specification housing stock per Ray White Silverdale 2025 data.
Population growth has averaged a strong 1.1% to 3.2% annually, driven by expanding master-planned communities like Millwater and Milldale.
Exceptional natural amenity access, including Ōrewa Beach and Shakespear Regional Park, directly enhances everyday recreational quality of life.
Professional and managerial occupations comprise 48% of the local resident base, exceeding the wider Auckland regional average.
Direct transit connectivity via the Hibiscus Coast Bus Station links residents efficiently to the Northern Busway and central Auckland.
Drawbacks
Peak-hour traffic congestion along major motorway links toward central Auckland can create frustrating daily commute delays.
Housing affordability remains stretched for first-time buyers due to high regional demand and premium property valuations.
High car dependency outside of core town centers like Ōrewa and Silverdale limits seamless non-automotive transit.
Infrastructure development occasionally struggles to outpace the rapid pace of population growth in newly built peripheral subdivisions.
General cost of living tracks above the national New Zealand average, driven primarily by coastal housing premiums.
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.
Hibiscus Coast
#34Auckland, New Zealand
63.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
104
Commute
35 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
3.29%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
83
Business
72
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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