City Comparison
Bad Vilbel vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bad Vilbel scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bad Vilbel
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Bad Vilbel.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bad Vilbel's average rent is
27% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Bad Vilbel | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,138 | +27% |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +4% |
| Utilities | $220 | $194 | +13% |
| Transport | $95 | $312 | -70% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $226 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $2,385 | $2,274 | +5% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bad Vilbel offers 5% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Bad Vilbel delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Bad Vilbel is estimated at
$50,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Bad Vilbel | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 56,863 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $56,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Bad Vilbel runs warmer on average — a 52.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Bad Vilbel comes out ahead with 254 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Bad Vilbel sees 6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Bad Vilbel | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 78.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 32.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 23.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 6.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 254 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Bad Vilbel.
Bad Vilbel scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Bad Vilbel leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Bad Vilbel | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 78.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 74.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Bad Vilbel.
From a growth perspective, Bad Vilbel is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Bad Vilbel has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Bad Vilbel | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 35,754 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 42.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Bad Vilbel
Advantages
Rapid S-Bahn transit connections reaching downtown Frankfurt in under 20 minutes
Abundant green spaces including the historic Kurpark and Nidda River recreational areas
Strong local economy anchored by pharmaceutical and professional services firms
Exceptional public safety and family-friendly community environment
Vibrant cultural offerings such as the annual Bad Vilbel Castle Festival
Drawbacks
Elevated housing and rental costs driven by proximity to Frankfurt
High demand in the local real estate market limits affordable options
Commuter traffic congestion on regional access roads during peak hours
Limited availability of large-scale commercial retail spaces within the historic center
Higher municipal cost of living compared to rural districts in Hesse
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.
Bad Vilbel
#46Hesse, Germany
62.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
78.0/100
Walkability
74.0/100
Sunny Days
254/yr
Avg Temp
52.70°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
82
Business
75
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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