City Comparison
Newtownabbey vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Newtownabbey scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Newtownabbey
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Newtownabbey is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
22% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Newtownabbey's average rent is
17% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Newtownabbey | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,138 | -17% |
| Groceries | $380 | $404 | -6% |
| Utilities | $175 | $194 | -10% |
| Transport | $110 | $312 | -65% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $226 | -34% |
| Monthly Total | $1,765 | $2,274 | -22% |
| Cost Index | 78 | 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 Newtownabbey is estimated at
$32,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Newtownabbey | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $38,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $32,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 48,718 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $41,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Newtownabbey runs warmer on average — a 50.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Newtownabbey comes out ahead with 186 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Newtownabbey sees 2.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Newtownabbey | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 66.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 37.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 42.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 2.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 186 | |
| Humidity | 82.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Newtownabbey.
Newtownabbey scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Newtownabbey leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Newtownabbey | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Newtownabbey is the larger city
— approximately 1.9x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Newtownabbey has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Newtownabbey | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 88,000 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Newtownabbey
Advantages
Housing affordability remains significantly better than central Belfast and major British cities.
Excellent transport links via rail, bus network, and the M2 motorway provide fast access to Belfast.
Proximity to Belfast Lough and scenic natural attractions like Cave Hill offers great outdoor recreation.
Strong local commercial hubs including retail parks and the Abbey Centre provide convenient shopping.
Reputable educational infrastructure including local schools and proximity to university facilities.
Drawbacks
High reliance on private vehicles for navigating certain suburban pockets outside major transit corridors.
Peak traffic congestion along the M2 corridor during morning and evening commutes.
Limited standalone nightlife and entertainment options within the town itself, requiring trips to Belfast.
Variable public transit frequency in specific outlying residential townlands.
Local property market subject to wider regional economic pressures and inflation.
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.
Newtownabbey
#2Northern Ireland, UK
66.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$38,000
Cost Index
78
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
186/yr
Avg Temp
50.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.20%
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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