City Comparison
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu's average rent is
19% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,138 | +19% |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +4% |
| Utilities | $160 | $194 | -18% |
| Transport | $110 | $312 | -65% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $226 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $2,240 | $2,274 | -1% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu offers 5% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu is estimated at
$50,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,043 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $68,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu runs warmer on average — a 45.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu comes out ahead with 223 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu sees 67.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 45.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 78.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 9.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 42.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 67.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 223 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,000 minutes (117 hours) per year compared to Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu.
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu is the larger city
— approximately 2.1x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu 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 | Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,000 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu
Advantages
Median home purchase prices and rental rates remain notably more affordable than in nearby downtown Montreal.
Low crime rates and safe neighborhoods make Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu an ideal environment for raising families.
Abundant outdoor recreation opportunities centered around the Richelieu River, bike paths, and regional parks.
Hosts the internationally renowned International Balloon Festival of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, boosting local culture and tourism.
Strategic location along Autoroute 35 provides convenient access to Montreal and the U.S. border.
Drawbacks
Public transit options within the city and for long-distance commuting can be limited compared to major urban cores, increasing car dependency.
Job seekers may find specialized high-tech or corporate headquarter roles limited locally, resulting in a high commuter workforce to Montreal.
Winters are cold and snowy, requiring significant investment in winter maintenance and heating costs.
Tight rental vacancy rates can make finding suitable rental housing competitive and challenging.
Bridge traffic across the Richelieu River during peak commuting hours can cause localized congestion.
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.
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu
#30Quebec, Canada
65.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
223/yr
Avg Temp
45.20°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
78
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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