City Comparison
Belfast vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Belfast scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Belfast
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Belfast is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
13% lower than in Binghamton.
| Metric | Belfast | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,134 | $1,138 | -0% |
| Groceries | $400 | $404 | -1% |
| Utilities | $202 | $194 | +4% |
| Transport | $90 | $312 | -71% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $226 | -34% |
| Monthly Total | $1,976 | $2,274 | -13% |
| Cost Index | 78 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 18% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Belfast delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Belfast is estimated at
$38,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Belfast | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $38,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,692 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $41,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Belfast runs warmer on average — a 50.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Belfast comes out ahead with 200 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Belfast sees 1.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Belfast | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 66.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 38.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 39.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 1.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 200 | |
| Humidity | 82.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Belfast.
Belfast scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Belfast leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Belfast | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 72.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Belfast is the larger city
— approximately 7.5x 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 | Belfast | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 350,500 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 36.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Belfast
Advantages
Average house prices in Belfast remain significantly below the UK average at approximately £185,000, offering superior housing affordability.
Belfast is recognized as a leading European tech and cybersecurity investment destination with robust job creation in digital sectors.
The wider Belfast metropolitan area features world-class natural landscapes, with the Belfast Hills and coastline minutes from the center.
Local public transport, dining, and daily services maintain a lower cost index than nearly all major UK core cities.
The city boasts a famously warm, welcoming community and a vibrant cultural, arts, and live music scene.
Drawbacks
Northern Ireland median earnings remain somewhat lower than the broader UK national median wage.
Economic inactivity rates across the wider region remain higher than the UK national average.
Public transport is heavily reliant on bus networks, lacking a comprehensive urban rail or subway transit system.
Variable weather patterns bring frequent rainfall and limited annual sunshine hours compared to southern European tech hubs.
Certain neighborhoods still exhibit residual social segregation tied to historical community divisions.
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.
Belfast
#5Northern Ireland, UK
65.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,134
Avg Salary
$45,000
Cost Index
78
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
72.0/100
Sunny Days
200/yr
Avg Temp
50.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
78
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Belfast and Binghamton.
Open Cost Calculator