City Comparison
Serian vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Serian scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Serian
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Serian is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
64% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Serian's average rent is
69% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Serian | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $350 | $1,138 | -69% |
| Groceries | $250 | $404 | -38% |
| Utilities | $75 | $194 | -61% |
| Transport | $90 | $312 | -71% |
| Healthcare | $60 | $226 | -73% |
| Monthly Total | $825 | $2,274 | -64% |
| Cost Index | 52 | 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 Serian is estimated at
$7,500 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Serian | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $9,500 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $7,500 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 18,269 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $12,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Serian runs warmer on average — a 79.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Serian comes out ahead with 67 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Serian sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Serian | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 79.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 86.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 72.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 139.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 67 | |
| Humidity | 85.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Serian.
Serian scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Serian leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Serian | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Serian is the larger city
— approximately 2.2x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Serian is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Serian has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Serian | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,100 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Serian
Advantages
Cost of living and housing prices remain substantially lower than national urban averages per Department of Statistics Malaysia.
Strategic location along the Pan Borneo Highway provides seamless connectivity to Kuching and surrounding regions.
Rich multicultural heritage and vibrant local markets offering renowned Bornean produce and cuisine.
Low crime rate and strong community safety profile ideal for families and retirees.
Proximity to pristine natural attractions, waterfalls, and eco-tourism sites including the famous durian orchards.
Drawbacks
Reliance on major medical facilities in Kuching for advanced or specialized healthcare treatments.
Limited public transportation infrastructure outside of main highway bus routes and regional taxis.
Job market is relatively concentrated in public administration and agriculture, offering fewer corporate career paths.
High seasonal rainfall can occasionally impact outdoor activities and local rural transport routes.
Limited high-end entertainment, nightlife, and cultural venues compared to larger urban 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.
Serian
#7Sarawak, Malaysia
83.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$350
Avg Salary
$9,500
Cost Index
52
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
67/yr
Avg Temp
79.30°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
76
Business
62
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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