City Comparison
Markham vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Markham scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Markham
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
21% lower than in Markham.
Housing costs are a major driver: Markham's average rent is
71% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Markham | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,138 | +71% |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +4% |
| Utilities | $175 | $194 | -10% |
| Transport | $115 | $312 | -63% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $226 | -3% |
| Monthly Total | $2,880 | $2,274 | +27% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Markham offers 24% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Markham delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Markham is estimated at
$60,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Markham | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,627 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $85,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Markham runs warmer on average — a 47°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Markham comes out ahead with 239 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Markham sees 52.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Markham | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 47.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 15.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 32.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 52.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 239 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
8,000 minutes (133 hours) per year compared to Markham.
Markham scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Binghamton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Markham | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 54.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 56.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Markham is the larger city
— approximately 7.2x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Markham 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 | Markham | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 338,503 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 6.80% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Markham
Advantages
Recognized as Canada's high-tech capital with over 1,000 technology companies providing robust employment opportunities.
Consistently ranks among the safest large municipalities in Canada with low violent crime rates.
Exceptional ethnic and cultural diversity reflected in world-class dining, festivals, and community programs.
Access to top-tier public education systems and high-performing schools across York Region.
Extensive parks, green spaces, and recreational facilities supporting an active outdoor lifestyle.
Drawbacks
Significantly high cost of living and housing prices compared to the national Canadian average.
High degree of car dependency in suburban neighborhoods leading to notable commuter traffic on major arteries.
Competitive rental market with elevated monthly costs for apartments and townhouses.
Property tax rates and municipal fees reflect the suburban infrastructure maintenance costs.
Cold winter climate featuring significant annual snowfall requires regular winter maintenance.
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.
Markham
#45Ontario, Canada
61.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
54.0/100
Sunny Days
239/yr
Avg Temp
47.00°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
6.80%
Livability
83
Business
84
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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