City Comparison
Madurai vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Madurai scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Madurai
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Madurai is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
77% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Madurai's average rent is
81% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Madurai | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $220 | $1,138 | -81% |
| Groceries | $150 | $404 | -63% |
| Utilities | $45 | $194 | -77% |
| Transport | $40 | $312 | -87% |
| Healthcare | $60 | $226 | -73% |
| Monthly Total | $515 | $2,274 | -77% |
| Cost Index | 28 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 91% 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 Madurai is estimated at
$3,500 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Madurai | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $4,800 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $3,500 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 17,143 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $5,800 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Madurai runs warmer on average — a 85°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Madurai comes out ahead with 237 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Madurai sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Madurai | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 85.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 98.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 71.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 40.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 237 | |
| 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 Madurai.
Madurai scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Madurai leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Madurai | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Low | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Madurai is the larger city
— approximately 31.4x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Madurai 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 | Madurai | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,470,755 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.40% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Madurai
Advantages
Significantly lower cost of living compared to major Indian metropolitan areas
Rich cultural heritage anchored by the historic Meenakshi Amman Temple
Emerging IT and manufacturing hubs providing diverse employment opportunities
Comprehensive regional healthcare infrastructure with advanced medical facilities
Warm, community-oriented local culture with vibrant traditional festivals
Drawbacks
High summer temperatures and humidity can be uncomfortable for newcomers
Traffic congestion in the dense, historic core of the city
Limited international flight connectivity directly from Madurai Airport compared to Chennai
Public transit infrastructure lacks modern rail or metro systems
Air quality can degrade during peak traffic and dry summer months
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.
Madurai
#34Tamil Nadu, India
81.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$220
Avg Salary
$4,800
Cost Index
28
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
237/yr
Avg Temp
85.00°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
75
Business
68
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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