City Comparison
Oshawa vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Oshawa scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Oshawa
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
8% lower than in Oshawa.
Housing costs are a major driver: Oshawa's average rent is
36% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Oshawa | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,550 | $1,138 | +36% |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +4% |
| Utilities | $175 | $194 | -10% |
| Transport | $110 | $312 | -65% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $226 | -3% |
| Monthly Total | $2,475 | $2,274 | +9% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Oshawa offers 5% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Oshawa delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Oshawa is estimated at
$50,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Oshawa | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,184 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $74,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Oshawa runs warmer on average — a 46.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Oshawa comes out ahead with 234 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Oshawa sees 53 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Oshawa | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 46.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 75.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 16.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 33.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 53.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 234 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
8,000 minutes (133 hours) per year compared to Oshawa.
Oshawa scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Oshawa leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Oshawa | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Oshawa is the larger city
— approximately 3.7x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Oshawa 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 | Oshawa | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 175,383 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.10% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 6.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Oshawa
Advantages
Significantly more affordable housing options compared to downtown Toronto and Peel Region.
Direct commuter access to Toronto via GO Transit rail and Highway 401.
Home to reputable post-secondary institutions including Ontario Tech University and Durham College.
Abundant green spaces, including extensive waterfront trails along Lake Ontario.
Robust regional healthcare infrastructure anchored by Lakeridge Health.
Drawbacks
High commuter traffic congestion along Highway 401 during peak morning and evening hours.
Downtown core faces ongoing social challenges related to homelessness and support services.
Property taxes are relatively high compared to some neighboring municipalities.
Public transit outside of major arterial routes can require lengthy travel times.
Rental vacancy rates remain tight due to high regional demand.
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.
Oshawa
#41Ontario, Canada
62.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,550
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
234/yr
Avg Temp
46.80°F
Pop. Growth
2.10%
Unemployment
6.50%
Livability
75
Business
70
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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