City Comparison
Malerkotla vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Malerkotla scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Malerkotla
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Malerkotla is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
83% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Malerkotla's average rent is
86% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Malerkotla | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $160 | $1,138 | -86% |
| Groceries | $120 | $404 | -70% |
| Utilities | $45 | $194 | -77% |
| Transport | $30 | $312 | -90% |
| Healthcare | $40 | $226 | -82% |
| Monthly Total | $395 | $2,274 | -83% |
| Cost Index | 35 | 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 Malerkotla is estimated at
$300 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Malerkotla | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $420 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $300 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 1,200 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $5,200 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Malerkotla | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 60.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Malerkotla scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Malerkotla leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Malerkotla | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Low | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Malerkotla is the larger city
— approximately 2.9x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Malerkotla 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 | Malerkotla | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,000 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Malerkotla
Advantages
Exceptional communal harmony and social peace recognized across Punjab
Significantly lower cost of living and housing compared to major state capitals
Strategic elevation to district headquarters status driving local infrastructure growth
Rich cultural heritage and unique architectural identity unlike standard Punjabi towns
Vibrant small-scale industrial and handicraft employment base providing stable local jobs
Drawbacks
Limited presence of large multinational employers and high-paying corporate tech jobs
Heavy reliance on neighboring cities like Ludhiana for advanced tertiary healthcare
Narrow roads and congestion in older commercial bazaars during peak hours
Underdeveloped modern entertainment infrastructure such as multiplexes and malls
Limited public transit options beyond auto-rickshaws and local rail connections
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.
Malerkotla
#114Punjab, India
77.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$160
Avg Salary
$420
Cost Index
35
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
73
Business
62
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Malerkotla and Binghamton.
Open Cost Calculator