City Comparison
Eau Claire vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Eau Claire scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Eau Claire
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Eau Claire is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
8% lower compared to Binghamton.
| Metric | Eau Claire | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $1,138 | -3% |
| Groceries | $400 | $404 | -1% |
| Utilities | $215 | $194 | +11% |
| Transport | $120 | $312 | -62% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $226 | +11% |
| Monthly Total | $2,085 | $2,274 | -8% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Eau Claire offers 18% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Eau Claire delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Eau Claire is estimated at
$55,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Eau Claire | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 72,222 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $67,395 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Eau Claire runs warmer on average — a 46°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Eau Claire comes out ahead with 249 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Eau Claire sees 33.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Eau Claire | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 46.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 78.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 8.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 37.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 33.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | |
| Humidity | % | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Eau Claire.
Eau Claire scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Eau Claire | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/10 | 33.0/10 |
| Walkability | 55.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Eau Claire is the larger city
— approximately 1.6x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Eau Claire is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Eau Claire has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Eau Claire | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 73,134 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.92% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Eau Claire
Advantages
Affordable cost of living, with housing costs significantly below the national average.
Strong and diversified job market with key sectors including healthcare, retail, and manufacturing.
Access to quality healthcare services provided by major health systems like Mayo Clinic and Marshfield Medical Center.
Vibrant arts and culture scene, including annual music festivals and a historic downtown.
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities with parks and riverfront trails.
Drawbacks
Car dependency is high, as most errands require a vehicle.
Public transit options are limited.
Crime rates, particularly property crime, are higher than the national average.
Healthcare costs are slightly higher than the U.S. average.
Racial disparities exist in arrests for low-level offenses by the police department.
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.
Eau Claire
#51Wisconsin, USA
63.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
90
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
46.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.92%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
74
Business
68
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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