City Comparison
Dunedin vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Dunedin scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Dunedin
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dunedin is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
28% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dunedin's average rent is
12% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Dunedin | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $997 | $1,138 | -12% |
| Groceries | $382 | $404 | -5% |
| Utilities | $152 | $194 | -22% |
| Transport | $71 | $312 | -77% |
| Healthcare | $45 | $226 | -80% |
| Monthly Total | $1,647 | $2,274 | -28% |
| Cost Index | 135 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 26% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Binghamton delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Dunedin is estimated at
$45,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Dunedin | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $40,428 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 29,947 idx | 50,000 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Dunedin runs warmer on average — a 51.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Dunedin comes out ahead with 203 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Dunedin sees 5.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Dunedin | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 50.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 49.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 45.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 5.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 203 | |
| Humidity | 80.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Dunedin.
Dunedin scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Dunedin leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Dunedin | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dunedin is the larger city
— approximately 2.9x 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 | Dunedin | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,331 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.08% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Dunedin
Advantages
Dunedin's cost of living is approximately 31% lower than in Auckland, making it a more affordable major city in New Zealand.
The city boasts a strong educational sector, anchored by the University of Otago, New Zealand's oldest university, fostering a vibrant academic and research environment.
Dunedin offers exceptional access to natural beauty and wildlife, particularly on the Otago Peninsula, home to rare penguins and albatrosses.
The average commute time in Dunedin is relatively short, estimated at around 20 minutes, contributing to a better work-life balance.
The median weekly rent for all properties in Dunedin City was $520 NZD (approximately $292 USD) as of April 2026, indicating reasonable housing costs.
Drawbacks
The average annual salary in Dunedin, at $40,428 USD, is lower than the national average for New Zealand.
While public transport exists, the city's transit infrastructure may not be as extensive as larger international cities, potentially leading to higher car dependency for some residents.
Specific, up-to-date data for certain economic metrics like job growth rate and new business growth rate for Dunedin were not readily available from highly authoritative sources.
The city's geographic isolation on the South Island of New Zealand can mean fewer direct international travel options compared to Auckland or Christchurch.
The cost of living, while lower than Auckland, is still 35% above the global median, indicating it's not an exceptionally cheap place to live globally.
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.
Dunedin
#51Otago, New Zealand
47.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$997
Avg Salary
$40,428
Cost Index
135
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
203/yr
Avg Temp
51.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
5.08%
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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