City Comparison
Mecca vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Mecca scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Mecca
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mecca is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
50% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Mecca's average rent is
48% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Mecca | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $587 | $1,138 | -48% |
| Groceries | $164 | $404 | -59% |
| Utilities | $139 | $194 | -28% |
| Transport | $6 | $312 | -98% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $226 | +11% |
| Monthly Total | $1,146 | $2,274 | -50% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 31% 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 Mecca is estimated at
$30,156 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Mecca | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $38,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $30,156 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 40,000 idx | 50,000 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Mecca runs warmer on average — a 86.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Mecca comes out ahead with 340 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Mecca sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Mecca | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 86.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 105.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 65.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 5.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 340 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Mecca.
Mecca scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Mecca leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Mecca | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Mecca is the larger city
— approximately 48.1x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Mecca is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Mecca has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Mecca | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,252,000 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 3.74% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Mecca
Advantages
Mecca is the holiest city in Islam, attracting millions of pilgrims annually, fostering a unique spiritual and cosmopolitan atmosphere.
The city is undergoing significant infrastructure development, driven by Vision 2030, to accommodate growing tourism and population.
Housing costs in Mecca are relatively affordable compared to other major Saudi cities, with lower rent prices for apartments.
The city has a strong focus on security, particularly during pilgrimage seasons, contributing to a generally safe environment for residents and visitors.
Mecca's economy is diversifying beyond religious tourism, with growth in construction, real estate, and retail sectors.
Drawbacks
Non-Muslims are not permitted to enter Mecca, limiting its accessibility to a specific religious group.
While improving, public transportation and walkability can be challenging, making car dependency common.
The city experiences significant population surges during Hajj and Ramadan, which can strain resources and infrastructure.
Specific, up-to-date crime statistics for Mecca are not readily available, making a precise safety assessment difficult.
The cost of living, particularly for dining and transportation, can be higher than the Saudi Arabian average.
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.
Mecca
#4Makkah Region, Saudi Arabia
67.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$587
Avg Salary
$38,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
340/yr
Avg Temp
86.80°F
Pop. Growth
3.74%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
74
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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