City Comparison
Burnie vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Burnie scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Burnie
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Burnie is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
38% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Burnie's average rent is
60% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Burnie | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $455 | $1,138 | -60% |
| Groceries | $400 | $404 | -1% |
| Utilities | $180 | $194 | -7% |
| Transport | $120 | $312 | -62% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $226 | +11% |
| Monthly Total | $1,405 | $2,274 | -38% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 5% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Burnie delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Burnie is estimated at
$55,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Burnie | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 54,737 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $62,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Burnie runs warmer on average — a 54.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Burnie comes out ahead with 239 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Burnie sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Burnie | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 53.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 53.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 37.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 239 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Burnie.
Burnie scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Burnie leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Burnie | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Burnie.
From a growth perspective, Burnie 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 | Burnie | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 19,918 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 8.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Burnie
Advantages
Affordable housing market with median house prices around $575,000 and units at $320,000.
Stable rental market with yields of 4.5% for houses and 4.9% for units.
Rich natural environment with accessible wilderness, beaches, and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Growing focus on renewable energy and diversification of the economy.
Strong community spirit and a relaxed pace of life, appealing to families and retirees.
Drawbacks
Higher unemployment rate compared to the national average.
Median household income is lower than the national median.
Some online discussions mention concerns about drug and alcohol problems in certain areas.
The CBD can be perceived as 'grim' by some residents.
Limited shopping options and paid parking mentioned as drawbacks by some residents.
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.
Burnie
#18Tasmania, Australia
56.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$455
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
239/yr
Avg Temp
54.50°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
8.10%
Livability
74
Business
68
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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