City Comparison
Atlanta vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Atlanta scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Atlanta
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
27% higher compared to Atlanta.
Housing costs are a major driver: Atlanta's average rent is
65% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Atlanta | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,882 | $1,138 | +65% |
| Groceries | $450 | $404 | +11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $194 | -7% |
| Transport | $120 | $312 | -62% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $226 | +11% |
| Monthly Total | $2,882 | $2,274 | +27% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Atlanta offers 18% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Atlanta delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Atlanta is estimated at
$55,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Atlanta | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,708 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $85,652 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Atlanta runs warmer on average — a 63.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Atlanta comes out ahead with 233 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Atlanta sees 3.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Atlanta | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 35.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 46.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 3.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 233 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to Atlanta.
Atlanta scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Atlanta leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Atlanta | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 33.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Atlanta is the larger city
— approximately 10.8x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Atlanta has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Atlanta | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 505,268 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.59% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Atlanta
Advantages
Atlanta offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to other major U.S. cities, with housing costs being a significant factor in its favor.
The city has a strong and diverse job market with projected job growth significantly higher than the national average, driven by key industries like aviation, FinTech, and healthcare.
Atlanta is a major transportation hub, boasting the world's busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which facilitates global travel and trade.
The city provides a high quality of life with a "City in the Forest" ambiance, a vibrant cultural scene, diverse culinary options, and ample outdoor recreational opportunities.
Atlanta's crime rates have shown a downward trend in recent years, with significant reductions in major crime categories in 2024, reaching historic lows for violent crime.
Drawbacks
Atlanta is known for its notorious traffic congestion, which can significantly impact commute times and daily travel.
The city's public transportation system, while present, is often cited as a con due to its limitations in serving the extensive urban sprawl of the metropolitan area.
While generally affordable, housing costs in Atlanta can still be a significant expense, and the market has seen substantial increases in required income to afford a home.
Summer humidity and heat can be intense, contributing to less comfortable outdoor conditions during certain months.
Competition in certain sectors, such as tech and media, can be intense, requiring job seekers to be well-researched and prepared.
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.
Atlanta
#44Georgia, USA
64.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,882
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
233/yr
Avg Temp
63.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.59%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
74
Business
68
Binghamton
#165New York, USA
38.0 / 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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