Urblytica 30 days free banner
Urblytica - Free Event Listing
List Business List Event

Kota Sarang Semut vs Binghamton

Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.

Kedah, Malaysia
View Kota Sarang Semut profile
#31 in Malaysia
78
Overall Score
VS
New York, USA
View Binghamton profile
#603 in USA
38
Overall Score
Kota Sarang Semut scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Kota Sarang Semut
Binghamton
Livability
75
68
Affordability
92
75
Business
58
60
Growth
62
58

Cost of Living

Kota Sarang Semut is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about 64% lower than in Binghamton. Housing costs are a major driver: Kota Sarang Semut's average rent is 69% lower than Binghamton's.
MetricKota Sarang SemutBinghamtonDiff
Average Rent
$350$1,138-69%
Groceries
$220$404-46%
Utilities
$75$194-61%
Transport
$90$312-71%
Healthcare
$80$226-65%
Monthly Total
$815$2,274-64%
Cost Index
38110out of 100

Salary & Income

Binghamton offers 80% 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 Kota Sarang Semut is estimated at $9,500 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
MetricKota Sarang SemutBinghamton
Average Salary
$11,000$55,000
Salary Needed
$9,500$45,000
Purchasing Power
28,947 idx50,000 idx
Household Income
$13,500$45,578

Climate Comparison

Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
MetricKota Sarang SemutBinghamton
Avg Temp
°F°F
Summer High
°F°F
Winter Low
°F°F
Rainfall
in in
Snowfall
in in
Sunny Days
Humidity
82.00%70.00%

Commute & Transport

Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly 4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Kota Sarang Semut. Kota Sarang Semut scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
MetricKota Sarang SemutBinghamton
Commute Time
25 min16 min
Transit Score
35.0/10033.0/100
Walkability
55.0/10055.0/100
Traffic Index
25.0030.00
Car Dependency
HighMedium

Economy & Demographics

Binghamton is the larger city — approximately 0.1x the population of Kota Sarang Semut. From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services. On the employment side, Kota Sarang Semut has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
MetricKota Sarang SemutBinghamton
Population
4,60046,773
Pop. Growth
0.80%0.90%
Median Age
39.035.9
Unemployment
3.50%4.30%
GDP
—$13.0B

Pros & Cons

Kota Sarang Semut
Advantages
Extremely low cost of living and housing expenses compared to major Malaysian urban centers.
Strong community safety with a peaceful, low-crime rural environment.
Proximity to scenic agricultural landscapes and rich northern Malaysian cultural heritage.
Easy driving access to Alor Setar for advanced retail, employment, and hospital facilities.
Stable, tight-knit neighborhood atmosphere ideal for families and retirees.
Drawbacks
Limited local job market diversification outside of agriculture and small retail.
High dependency on personal motor vehicles due to minimal public transit infrastructure.
Scarce local entertainment, cultural venues, and modern night-life options.
Slower internet broadband speeds in outlying rural pockets compared to major cities.
Vulnerability of local economy and infrastructure to extreme weather affecting rice farming.
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.

Dive Deeper

Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.

Kota Sarang Semut
#31
Kedah, Malaysia
78.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$350
Avg Salary
$11,000
Cost Index
38
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
75
Business
58
View Full Profile
Binghamton
#603
New 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
View Full Profile

Calculate Your Cost Impact

Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Kota Sarang Semut and Binghamton.

Open Cost Calculator

Sponsored