City Comparison
Shaoyang vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Shaoyang scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Shaoyang
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Shaoyang is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
76% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Shaoyang's average rent is
78% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Shaoyang | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $250 | $1,138 | -78% |
| Groceries | $200 | $404 | -50% |
| Utilities | $60 | $194 | -69% |
| Transport | $30 | $312 | -90% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $226 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $540 | $2,274 | -76% |
| Cost Index | 35 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Shaoyang | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $45,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Shaoyang runs warmer on average — a 66.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Shaoyang comes out ahead with 230 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Shaoyang sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Shaoyang | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 66.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 89.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 41.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 51.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 230 | |
| Humidity | 75.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
9,500 minutes (158 hours) per year compared to Shaoyang.
Binghamton 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.
| Metric | Shaoyang | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 35 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | — | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | — | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Shaoyang is the larger city
— approximately 132.9x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton 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 | Shaoyang | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,217,000 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 35.9 | |
| Unemployment | 5.30% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Shaoyang
Advantages
Shaoyang offers a significantly low cost of living, ranking among the top 15% of the least expensive cities globally as of June 2026.
The city benefits from a convenient transportation network, including expressways and railway lines, enhancing regional connectivity.
Shaoyang has a rich history of over 2500 years and a distinct cultural identity, offering a unique living experience.
The presence of natural attractions like Nanshan Scenic Area and Yunshan National Forest Park provides ample opportunities for outdoor activities.
The city's industrial base in machinery, smelting, pharmaceuticals, and light industry provides diverse employment opportunities.
Drawbacks
Specific, up-to-date (2024-2026) data for several key metrics like median household income, average rent, and median age for Shaoyang is not readily available, making detailed financial planning challenging.
Summers in Shaoyang are characterized by wet, muggy, and hot conditions, which might be uncomfortable for some residents.
The average salary in Shaoyang is likely lower than the national average for major Chinese cities, potentially impacting purchasing power for certain goods.
Detailed information on healthcare quality and the number of hospitals specifically within Shaoyang for the current period is not available.
Walkability and transit scores for Shaoyang are not published, making it difficult to assess the ease of car-free living.
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.
Shaoyang
#14Hunan, China
74.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$250
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
35
Commute
35 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
230/yr
Avg Temp
66.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
5.30%
Livability
70
Business
60
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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