City Comparison
Varanasi vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Varanasi scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Varanasi
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Varanasi is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
81% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Varanasi's average rent is
84% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Varanasi | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $180 | $1,138 | -84% |
| Groceries | $140 | $404 | -65% |
| Utilities | $50 | $194 | -74% |
| Transport | $25 | $312 | -92% |
| Healthcare | $35 | $226 | -85% |
| Monthly Total | $430 | $2,274 | -81% |
| Cost Index | 22 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 93% 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 Varanasi is estimated at
$3,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Varanasi | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $3,800 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $3,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 17,273 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $3,600 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Varanasi runs warmer on average — a 79.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Varanasi comes out ahead with 264 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Varanasi sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Varanasi | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 79.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 93.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 54.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 49.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 264 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
9,500 minutes (158 hours) per year compared to Varanasi.
Varanasi scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Varanasi leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Varanasi | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 35 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 50.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 60.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Low | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Varanasi is the larger city
— approximately 30.6x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Varanasi 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 | Varanasi | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,432,000 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 27.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Varanasi
Advantages
Extremely low cost of living and housing expenses compared to Western standards and tier-1 Indian metros
Rich cultural heritage, classical music traditions, and spiritual atmosphere centered around the Ganges ghats
Strong educational infrastructure anchored by Banaras Hindu University and numerous research centers
Rapidly improving transport connectivity including international airport, major rail junctions, and highway expansions
Vibrant local culinary scene and traditional handicraft markets supporting unique artisan livelihoods
Drawbacks
High levels of air and noise pollution, particularly during the winter temperature inversion months
Traffic congestion and narrow, winding streets in the old city that limit private vehicular mobility
Infrastructure bottlenecks during major festival seasons and heavy pilgrim influxes
Limited high-paying corporate job opportunities outside of tourism, education, and local manufacturing
Summer temperatures reach extreme highs, requiring reliable cooling and climate control infrastructure
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.
Varanasi
#214Uttar Pradesh, India
73.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$180
Avg Salary
$3,800
Cost Index
22
Commute
35 min
Transit Score
50.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
264/yr
Avg Temp
79.10°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
68
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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