City Comparison
Petaling Jaya vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Petaling Jaya scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Petaling Jaya
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Petaling Jaya is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
50% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Petaling Jaya's average rent is
51% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Petaling Jaya | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $552 | $1,138 | -51% |
| Groceries | $232 | $404 | -43% |
| Utilities | $180 | $194 | -7% |
| Transport | $13 | $312 | -96% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $226 | -34% |
| Monthly Total | $1,127 | $2,274 | -50% |
| Cost Index | 26 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 97% 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 Petaling Jaya is estimated at
$570 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Petaling Jaya | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $1,774 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $570 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 6,823 idx | 50,000 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Petaling Jaya runs warmer on average — a 82.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Petaling Jaya comes out ahead with 110 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Petaling Jaya sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Petaling Jaya | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 82.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 91.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 73.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 103.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 110 | |
| Humidity | 80.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Petaling Jaya.
Petaling Jaya scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Petaling Jaya leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Petaling Jaya | 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
Petaling Jaya is the larger city
— approximately 17.3x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Petaling Jaya has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Petaling Jaya | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 807,879 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 35.9 | |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Petaling Jaya
Advantages
Petaling Jaya is a major commercial and residential hub with a strategic location within the Greater Kuala Lumpur area.
The city offers extensive shopping malls and diverse neighborhoods, providing numerous amenities and entertainment options.
Petaling Jaya has a well-developed public transportation system, including LRT and MRT lines, enhancing connectivity.
The city is recognized for its cultural diversity, with Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures harmoniously intertwined.
Petaling Jaya is emerging as a hub for technological advancement and innovation, indicating future economic growth.
Drawbacks
Traffic congestion is a significant drawback, especially during peak hours, making commutes challenging.
While public transport is available, some areas are not easily walkable, and car dependency can be high for off-LRT zones.
The average monthly net salary in Petaling Jaya is lower than in Kuala Lumpur.
Despite a moderate safety index, some residents suggest high-rise or gated communities for security concerns.
The city experiences high humidity levels throughout the year, which can contribute to a muggy climate.
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.
Petaling Jaya
#59Selangor, Malaysia
73.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$552
Avg Salary
$1,774
Cost Index
26
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
110/yr
Avg Temp
82.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.80%
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Petaling Jaya and Binghamton.
Open Cost Calculator