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Richmond Hill vs Binghamton

Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.

Ontario, Canada
View Richmond Hill profile
#36 in Canada
64
Overall Score
VS
New York, USA
View Binghamton profile
#603 in USA
38
Overall Score
Richmond Hill scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Richmond Hill
Binghamton
Livability
81
68
Affordability
52
75
Business
74
60
Growth
75
58

Cost of Living

Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about 21% lower than in Richmond Hill. Housing costs are a major driver: Richmond Hill's average rent is 63% higher than Binghamton's.
MetricRichmond HillBinghamtonDiff
Average Rent
$1,850$1,138+63%
Groceries
$460$404+14%
Utilities
$190$194-2%
Transport
$140$312-55%
Healthcare
$230$226+2%
Monthly Total
$2,870$2,274+26%
Cost Index
110110out of 100

Salary & Income

Richmond Hill offers 5% higher average salaries. However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Richmond Hill delivers stronger purchasing power — meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day. The minimum comfortable salary in Richmond Hill is estimated at $52,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
MetricRichmond HillBinghamton
Average Salary
$58,000$55,000
Salary Needed
$52,000$45,000
Purchasing Power
52,727 idx50,000 idx
Household Income
$78,500$45,578

Climate Comparison

Richmond Hill runs warmer on average — a 45.8°F difference year-round. For sunshine, Richmond Hill comes out ahead with 240 more sunny days per year, which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle. Winter severity differs too — Richmond Hill sees 56.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
MetricRichmond HillBinghamton
Avg Temp
45.80°F°F
Summer High
79.10°F°F
Winter Low
13.70°F°F
Rainfall
30.40 in in
Snowfall
56.20 in in
Sunny Days
240
Humidity
68.00%70.00%

Commute & Transport

Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly 7,500 minutes (125 hours) per year compared to Richmond Hill. Richmond Hill scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living. For walkability, Binghamton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
MetricRichmond HillBinghamton
Commute Time
31 min16 min
Transit Score
49.0/10033.0/100
Walkability
46.0/10055.0/100
Traffic Index
59.0030.00
Car Dependency
HighMedium

Economy & Demographics

Richmond Hill is the larger city — approximately 4.5x the population of Binghamton. From a growth perspective, Richmond Hill 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.
MetricRichmond HillBinghamton
Population
208,50046,773
Pop. Growth
1.40%0.90%
Median Age
41.235.9
Unemployment
5.70%4.30%
GDP
—$13.0B

Pros & Cons

Richmond Hill
Advantages
Consistently ranked as one of the safest municipalities in Canada with very low violent crime rates.
Exceptional public school system and diverse educational options including top-tier private institutions.
Extensive park systems, natural green spaces, and recreational facilities including Lake Wilcox Park.
Strategic location in the Greater Toronto Area with strong employment hubs and corporate HQs.
Rich multicultural environment featuring vibrant cultural festivals and world-class culinary options.
Drawbacks
High cost of living and inflated real estate prices compared to the national Canadian average.
Heavy reliance on automobiles resulting in significant traffic congestion during peak commuting hours.
Limited walkability in many suburban neighborhoods outside of designated commercial corridors.
Higher-than-average property taxes and municipal service fees to support local infrastructure.
Rental market competition is fierce, with high monthly rates for apartments and townhouses.
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.

Dive Deeper

Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.

Richmond Hill
#36
Ontario, Canada
64.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,850
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
110
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
49.0/100
Walkability
46.0/100
Sunny Days
240/yr
Avg Temp
45.80°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
5.70%
Livability
81
Business
74
View Full Profile
Binghamton
#603
New 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
View Full Profile

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