Performance
Score Breakdown
Shenyang
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Shenyang is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
62% lower compared to Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Shenyang's average rent is
76% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Shenyang | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $271 | $1,138 | -76% |
| Groceries | $350 | $404 | -13% |
| Utilities | $89 | $194 | -54% |
| Transport | $50 | $312 | -84% |
| Healthcare | $100 | $226 | -56% |
| Monthly Total | $860 | $2,274 | -62% |
| Cost Index | 45 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 68% 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 Shenyang is estimated at
$15,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Shenyang | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $17,510 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $15,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 38,911 idx | 50,000 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Shenyang | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,000 minutes (117 hours) per year compared to Shenyang.
Shenyang scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Shenyang leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Shenyang | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 80.0/10 | 33.0/10 |
| Walkability | 65.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Shenyang is the larger city
— approximately 198.3x 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 | Shenyang | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,276,000 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 35.9 | |
| Unemployment | 4.62% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Shenyang
Advantages
Shenyang boasts a very affordable cost of living, ranking among the least expensive cities globally.
The city has an extensive and efficient public transportation network, including a metro and tram system, with 100% urban coverage by bus stops.
Shenyang has been consistently recognized as one of China's happiest cities for three consecutive years, including 2024.
The city has a robust industrial foundation with trillion-yuan clusters in advanced manufacturing, robotics, and automotive sectors.
Shenyang is actively enhancing its public service system for foreigners, including international hospitals and schools.
Drawbacks
Winters in Shenyang are known to be long and very cold.
While overall crime rates are low, Numbeo indicates a moderate problem with corruption and bribery.
The city's property market, like the national trend, has faced challenges with declines in investment and transaction volume in recent years.
Specific recent data for certain demographic metrics like median age and unemployment rate for Shenyang are not readily available.
Despite overall safety, isolated incidents of violent crime have been reported, such as a knife-related assault in July 2024.
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.
Shenyang
#1Liaoning, China
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$271
Avg Salary
$17,510
Cost Index
45
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
80.0/10
Walkability
65.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.62%
Livability
74
Business
68
Binghamton
#98New York, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,138
Avg Salary
$55,000
Cost Index
110
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
33.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
68
Business
60
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