City Comparison
San Nicolás de los Garza vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
San Nicolás de los Garza scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
San Nicolás de los Garza
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
San Nicolás de los Garza is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
46% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: San Nicolás de los Garza's average rent is
43% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | San Nicolás de los Garza | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $650 | $1,138 | -43% |
| Groceries | $320 | $404 | -21% |
| Utilities | $85 | $194 | -56% |
| Transport | $60 | $312 | -81% |
| Healthcare | $110 | $226 | -51% |
| Monthly Total | $1,225 | $2,274 | -46% |
| Cost Index | 48 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 83% 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 San Nicolás de los Garza is estimated at
$7,500 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | San Nicolás de los Garza | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $9,500 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $7,500 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 19,792 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $18,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
San Nicolás de los Garza runs warmer on average — a 74.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, San Nicolás de los Garza comes out ahead with 295 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — San Nicolás de los Garza sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | San Nicolás de los Garza | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 74.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 94.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 49.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 16.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 295 | |
| Humidity | 58.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
8,000 minutes (133 hours) per year compared to San Nicolás de los Garza.
San Nicolás de los Garza scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, San Nicolás de los Garza leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | San Nicolás de los Garza | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
San Nicolás de los Garza is the larger city
— approximately 8.8x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, San Nicolás de los Garza has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | San Nicolás de los Garza | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 412,199 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
San Nicolás de los Garza
Advantages
Consistently ranks among the safest municipalities in the Monterrey metropolitan area and northern Mexico.
Hosts the main campus of the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, providing exceptional educational and talent resources.
Well-planned urban infrastructure with extensive parks, clean public spaces, and reliable municipal services.
Strong industrial and commercial economic base offering robust employment opportunities and above-average local wages.
Direct connectivity to downtown Monterrey via the Metrorrey Line 2 public transit system.
Drawbacks
Cost of living and housing prices are notably higher than the national Mexican average.
Summer temperatures can be extremely hot, frequently exceeding 95°F.
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours along major industrial and commercial corridors.
Limited new residential land expansion within municipal boundaries drives up property acquisition costs.
Air quality in the broader Monterrey metropolitan region can occasionally be affected by industrial and vehicular emissions.
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.
San Nicolás de los Garza
#2Nuevo León, Mexico
83.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$650
Avg Salary
$9,500
Cost Index
48
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
295/yr
Avg Temp
74.60°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
81
Business
75
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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