City Comparison
Edinburgh vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Edinburgh scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Edinburgh
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in Edinburgh.
Housing costs are a major driver: Edinburgh's average rent is
36% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Edinburgh | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,550 | $1,138 | +36% |
| Groceries | $400 | $404 | -1% |
| Utilities | $180 | $194 | -7% |
| Transport | $90 | $312 | -71% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $226 | -3% |
| Monthly Total | $2,440 | $2,274 | +7% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 5% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Edinburgh delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Edinburgh is estimated at
$45,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Edinburgh | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 56,522 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $49,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Edinburgh runs warmer on average — a 50.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Edinburgh comes out ahead with 223 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Edinburgh sees 7.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Edinburgh | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 66.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 37.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 34.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 7.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 223 | |
| Humidity | 78.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,500 minutes (108 hours) per year compared to Edinburgh.
Edinburgh scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Edinburgh leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Edinburgh | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 72.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 78.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Edinburgh is the larger city
— approximately 11.2x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Edinburgh is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Edinburgh has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Edinburgh | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 526,000 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Edinburgh
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the top UK cities for overall quality of life and economic resilience per recent regional indexes
Exceptional public transportation network featuring award-winning bus services and expanding tram connectivity
World-class cultural calendar anchored by the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and historic architectural landmarks
Immediate access to stunning natural landscapes including Holyrood Park, Arthur's Seat, and coastal paths
Highly educated workforce with nearly half holding degree-level qualifications supported by top-tier universities
Drawbacks
High rental and property purchase costs driven by severe housing shortages and high tourist demand
Competitive property buying market often requiring offers well above the official home report valuation
Frequent grey skies and damp weather conditions throughout the autumn and winter months
Significant tourist congestion in the Old Town and central districts during the peak summer festival season
Narrow historic streets and strict conservation rules limit private car use and residential parking expansion
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.
Edinburgh
#8Scotland, UK
64.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,550
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
72.0/100
Walkability
78.0/100
Sunny Days
223/yr
Avg Temp
50.40°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
81
Business
75
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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