City Comparison
Portage la Prairie vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Portage la Prairie scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Portage la Prairie
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Portage la Prairie is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
22% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Portage la Prairie's average rent is
21% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Portage la Prairie | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $900 | $1,138 | -21% |
| Groceries | $400 | $404 | -1% |
| Utilities | $160 | $194 | -18% |
| Transport | $110 | $312 | -65% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $226 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $1,770 | $2,274 | -22% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 5% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Portage la Prairie delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Portage la Prairie is estimated at
$42,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Portage la Prairie | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,415 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $58,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Portage la Prairie runs warmer on average — a 39.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Portage la Prairie comes out ahead with 278 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Portage la Prairie sees 25.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Portage la Prairie | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 39.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 75.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | -4.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 20.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 25.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 278 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Portage la Prairie scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Portage la Prairie leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Portage la Prairie | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Portage la Prairie.
From a growth perspective, Portage la Prairie 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 | Portage la Prairie | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 13,500 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.40% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Portage la Prairie
Advantages
Affordable housing market with home prices significantly below the national average per Statistics Canada data.
Major industrial expansions by companies like Roquette and J.R. Simplot drive local job growth.
Abundant outdoor recreation centered around Island Park and Crescent Lake.
Strategic location along the Trans-Canada Highway providing easy access to Winnipeg.
Strong sense of community with numerous local festivals and family-oriented events.
Drawbacks
High reliance on personal vehicles due to limited public transit infrastructure.
Winters feature severe cold temperatures and significant frost conditions.
Property crime rates slightly exceed national averages for small cities.
Limited high-end dining and entertainment options within city limits.
Healthcare sector faces occasional staffing pressures typical of rural regional centers.
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.
Portage la Prairie
#29British Columbia, Canada
65.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$900
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
278/yr
Avg Temp
39.80°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
5.40%
Livability
73
Business
69
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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