City Comparison
Chartres vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Chartres scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Chartres
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Chartres is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
31% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Chartres's average rent is
30% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Chartres | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $795 | $1,138 | -30% |
| Groceries | $400 | $404 | -1% |
| Utilities | $165 | $194 | -15% |
| Transport | $49 | $312 | -84% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $226 | -34% |
| Monthly Total | $1,559 | $2,274 | -31% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 11% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Chartres delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Chartres is estimated at
$3,054 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Chartres | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,986 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $3,054 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 51,564 idx | 50,000 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Chartres runs warmer on average — a 53.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Chartres comes out ahead with 249 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Chartres sees 2.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Chartres | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 77.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 35.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 26.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 2.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Chartres has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
8,000 minutes (133 hours) per year compared to Binghamton.
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 | Chartres | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 4.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 8.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Low | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Chartres.
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 | Chartres | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 38,141 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 35.9 | |
| Unemployment | 7.30% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Chartres
Advantages
Chartres's housing market has seen an increase in house prices in 2024, indicating a stable or growing property value.
The city offers excellent walkability, with a score of 8/10, making it easy to explore the historic center and key landmarks on foot.
Chartres is well-connected to Paris by train, with a journey time of approximately one hour, offering convenient access to the capital.
The cost of living in Chartres is moderate, with housing and daily expenses generally being more affordable than in major French cities like Paris.
The city boasts a well-preserved historical center and is famous for its Gothic cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site, attracting significant tourism and cultural interest.
Drawbacks
Public transit within Chartres has a low score of 4/10, suggesting limited options for public transportation within the city.
While property prices have increased, the cost of housing in Chartres can still be considered 'not the most interesting' compared to some other areas, though bargains can be found.
Crime perception in Chartres, while moderate, includes concerns about property crimes and violent crimes, with scores around 45.83 and 33.33 respectively.
The remote work scene in Chartres is not explicitly detailed, and a general trend towards return-to-office mandates in some industries might impact remote work opportunities.
Chartres experienced a slight population decrease of -0.16% in the past year, indicating a minor negative population growth trend.
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.
Chartres
#31Centre-Val de Loire, France
53.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$795
Avg Salary
$48,986
Cost Index
95
Commute
min
Transit Score
4.0/100
Walkability
8.0/100
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
53.70°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
7.30%
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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