City Comparison
Mandi vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Mandi scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Mandi
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mandi is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
77% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Mandi's average rent is
81% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Mandi | 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 | 30 | 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 Mandi is estimated at
$350 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Mandi | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $450 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $350 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 1,500 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $6,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Mandi runs warmer on average — a 68°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Mandi comes out ahead with 252 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Mandi sees 0.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Mandi | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 68.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 39.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 49.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 252 | |
| Humidity | 60.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Mandi.
Mandi scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Mandi leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Mandi | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 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 | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Mandi.
From a growth perspective, Mandi is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Mandi has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Mandi | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 43,232 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Mandi
Advantages
Significantly lower cost of living and housing expenses compared to major Indian metros.
High natural beauty and clean mountain air surrounded by the Himalayas and Beas River.
Presence of IIT Mandi brings modern educational infrastructure and a vibrant student community.
Low overall crime rate and a safe, peaceful social environment.
Strategic geographical location serving as a gateway to major tourist destinations in Himachal Pradesh.
Drawbacks
Hilly terrain and winding roads can make daily commutes and travel to specialized medical centers challenging.
Limited large-scale industrial job market outside of government, education, and tourism sectors.
Stricter state land-purchase laws for non-residents looking to buy property.
Vulnerability to seasonal weather disruptions such as heavy monsoon rains and landslides.
Limited high-end entertainment and nightlife options compared to larger metropolitan hubs.
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.
Mandi
#111Himachal Pradesh, India
77.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$220
Avg Salary
$450
Cost Index
30
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
252/yr
Avg Temp
68.00°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
76
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
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