Performance
Score Breakdown
Binghamton
Nitro
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Nitro is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
90% higher compared to Binghamton.
| Metric | Binghamton | Nitro | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,138 | $1,200 | -5% |
| Groceries | $404 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $194 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $312 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $226 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,274 | $1,200 | +90% |
| Cost Index | 110 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Nitro offers 30% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Nitro delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Binghamton is estimated at
$45,000 vs $19,440 in Nitro.
| Metric | Binghamton | Nitro |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $55,000 | $78,954 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $19,440 |
| Purchasing Power | 50,000 idx | 78,172 idx |
| Household Income | $45,578 | $53,848 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Binghamton | Nitro |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 72.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Nitro.
Binghamton 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 | Binghamton | Nitro |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 16 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 33.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 55.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 7.3x the population of Nitro.
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 | Binghamton | Nitro |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 46,773 | 6,366 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | % |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 44.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 8.30% |
| GDP | $13.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Nitro
Advantages
Nitro boasts a significantly lower violent crime rate than the national average, at 2.4 per 1,000 residents.
The median home value in Nitro is considerably lower than the national average, making housing more affordable.
The average rent in Nitro is 38% below the national average, offering affordable rental options.
Nitro High School is recognized as a WV Exemplary School and ranks 7th in the state.
The city offers numerous outdoor recreational activities, including hiking, biking, kayaking, and fishing at Ridenour Lake and the Nitro Boat Dock.
Drawbacks
Nitro has a Walk Score of 0, indicating high car dependency and limited walkability.
The overall cost of living in Nitro is 1% higher than the U.S. national average.
The unemployment rate in Nitro was 8.3% as of March 2026, which is higher than the national average.
Some sources indicate that Nitro's overall crime rates are 179% higher than the West Virginia average.
The labor force participation rate in West Virginia, which Nitro is a part of, is among the lowest in the nation.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Binghamton
#23New York, USA
65.0 / 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
Nitro
#22West Virginia, USA
66.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,200
Avg Salary
$78,954
Cost Index
101
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
8.30%
Livability
66
Business
0
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