City Comparison
Burlington vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Burlington scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Burlington
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Burlington is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
15% lower compared to Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Burlington's average rent is
14% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Burlington | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $975 | $1,138 | -14% |
| Groceries | $400 | $404 | -1% |
| Utilities | $180 | $194 | -7% |
| Transport | $120 | $312 | -62% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $226 | +11% |
| Monthly Total | $1,925 | $2,274 | -15% |
| Cost Index | 87 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 11% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Burlington delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Burlington is estimated at
$64,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Burlington | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,716 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $64,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 55,995 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $59,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Burlington runs warmer on average — a 54.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Burlington comes out ahead with 271 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Burlington sees 20.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Burlington | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 18.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 28.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 20.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 271 | |
| Humidity | % | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
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 | Burlington | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 16 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 33.0/10 |
| Walkability | 41.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Burlington.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Burlington has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Burlington | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,207 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Burlington
Advantages
The cost of living in Burlington is significantly lower than the national average, particularly for housing.
Burlington offers abundant outdoor recreational opportunities, including parks, riverfront access, and trails.
The average commute time is short, at approximately 16 minutes.
The city's downtown area has undergone revitalization, offering a growing selection of restaurants and bars.
Year-over-year crime rates have shown a significant decrease, with overall crime down 21%.
Drawbacks
Burlington is experiencing a declining population, projected to decrease by -0.55% annually.
The city has a negative job growth rate, with employment declining from 2023 to 2024.
Overall crime rates are higher than both the state and national averages, with a safety grade of 'D'.
Public transportation options are minimal, leading to high car dependency.
Healthcare costs are slightly higher than the national average.
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.
Burlington
#153Iowa, USA
44.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$975
Avg Salary
$48,716
Cost Index
87
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
41.0/10
Sunny Days
271/yr
Avg Temp
54.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
65
Business
45
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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