City Comparison
St. Albert vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
St. Albert scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
St. Albert
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
St. Albert is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Binghamton.
| Metric | St. Albert | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,138 | +1% |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +4% |
| Utilities | $160 | $194 | -18% |
| Transport | $110 | $312 | -65% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $226 | -3% |
| Monthly Total | $2,060 | $2,274 | -9% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
St. Albert offers 24% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, St. Albert delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in St. Albert is estimated at
$52,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | St. Albert | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $82,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
St. Albert runs warmer on average — a 39.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, St. Albert comes out ahead with 270 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — St. Albert sees 43.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | St. Albert | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 39.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 71.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 0.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 20.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 43.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 270 | |
| Humidity | 62.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to St. Albert.
St. Albert 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 | St. Albert | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
St. Albert is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, St. Albert 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 | St. Albert | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,576 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.60% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
St. Albert
Advantages
Consistently ranks among the safest cities in Canada with low violent and property crime rates per Statistics Canada.
Extensive 85+ km Red Willow Park trail system offering exceptional outdoor recreation and nature access.
Alberta's tax structure features no provincial retail sales tax, reducing everyday purchasing burdens.
Home to Western Canada's largest outdoor farmers' market, driving vibrant local culture and commerce.
Top-performing local school divisions with high student achievement and robust extracurricular programs.
Drawbacks
Higher-than-average housing and rental costs driven by strong regional demand.
Car dependency is high for daily commuting, with limited rapid transit rail options.
Cold winter climate with extended periods of freezing temperatures requiring dedicated winter preparation.
Many residents must commute outside city limits for specialized employment sectors in Edmonton.
Property taxes tend to be relatively elevated to support local municipal infrastructure and services.
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.
St. Albert
#16Alberta, Canada
69.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
270/yr
Avg Temp
39.20°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
5.60%
Livability
85
Business
72
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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