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Kozhikode vs Binghamton

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

Kerala, India
View Kozhikode profile
#43 in India
80
Overall Score
VS
New York, USA
View Binghamton profile
#603 in USA
38
Overall Score
Kozhikode scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Kozhikode
Binghamton
Livability
78
68
Affordability
85
75
Business
68
60
Growth
72
58

Cost of Living

Kozhikode is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about 67% lower than in Binghamton. Housing costs are a major driver: Kozhikode's average rent is 69% lower than Binghamton's.
MetricKozhikodeBinghamtonDiff
Average Rent
$350$1,138-69%
Groceries
$200$404-50%
Utilities
$50$194-74%
Transport
$60$312-81%
Healthcare
$80$226-65%
Monthly Total
$740$2,274-67%
Cost Index
35110out of 100

Salary & Income

Binghamton offers 86% 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 Kozhikode is estimated at $4,500 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
MetricKozhikodeBinghamton
Average Salary
$7,500$55,000
Salary Needed
$4,500$45,000
Purchasing Power
21,429 idx50,000 idx
Household Income
$9,500$45,578

Climate Comparison

Kozhikode runs warmer on average — a 80°F difference year-round. For sunshine, Kozhikode comes out ahead with 132 more sunny days per year, which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle. Winter severity differs too — Kozhikode sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
MetricKozhikodeBinghamton
Avg Temp
80.00°F°F
Summer High
82.40°F°F
Winter Low
71.10°F°F
Rainfall
139.80 in in
Snowfall
0.00 in in
Sunny Days
132
Humidity
82.00%70.00%

Commute & Transport

Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly 7,000 minutes (117 hours) per year compared to Kozhikode. Kozhikode scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living. For walkability, Kozhikode leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
MetricKozhikodeBinghamton
Commute Time
30 min16 min
Transit Score
52.0/10033.0/100
Walkability
58.0/10055.0/100
Traffic Index
55.0030.00
Car Dependency
MediumMedium

Economy & Demographics

Kozhikode is the larger city — approximately 13.9x the population of Binghamton. From a growth perspective, Kozhikode 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.
MetricKozhikodeBinghamton
Population
650,00046,773
Pop. Growth
1.10%0.90%
Median Age
34.035.9
Unemployment
6.50%4.30%
GDP
—$13.0B

Pros & Cons

Kozhikode
Advantages
Kozhikode offers a significantly lower cost of living compared to major Indian and global metros while maintaining high quality infrastructure.
The city is globally celebrated for its rich culinary scene, particularly authentic Malabar cuisine and street food culture.
Kozhikode boasts exceptional safety records and low violent crime rates, making it ideal for families and retirees.
Proximity to pristine beaches and the Western Ghats provides residents with abundant natural and recreational escapes.
It serves as the primary medical and educational hub for northern Kerala, ensuring access to top-tier services.
Drawbacks
Traffic congestion during peak hours can be severe in the narrow, historic commercial core of the city.
Summer and monsoon humidity levels can be quite intense for newcomers unaccustomed to tropical coastal climates.
While the local job market is growing, high-paying corporate roles remain somewhat limited compared to Bengaluru or Mumbai.
Public mass transit is heavily reliant on buses and auto-rickshaws, lacking a dedicated metro rail system.
Real estate prices in prime central neighborhoods have risen sharply due to high demand from expatriate remittances.
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.

Kozhikode
#43
Kerala, India
80.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$350
Avg Salary
$7,500
Cost Index
35
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
132/yr
Avg Temp
80.00°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
6.50%
Livability
78
Business
68
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

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