City Comparison
Edison vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Edison scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Edison
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
30% lower than in Edison.
Housing costs are a major driver: Edison's average rent is
93% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Edison | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,200 | $1,138 | +93% |
| Groceries | $480 | $404 | +19% |
| Utilities | $185 | $194 | -5% |
| Transport | $140 | $312 | -55% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $226 | +2% |
| Monthly Total | $3,235 | $2,274 | +42% |
| Cost Index | 124 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Edison offers 49% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Edison delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Edison is estimated at
$65,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Edison | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $82,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,129 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $105,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Edison runs warmer on average — a 55°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Edison comes out ahead with 250 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Edison sees 16.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Edison | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 24.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 41.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 16.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 250 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
8,000 minutes (133 hours) per year compared to Edison.
Edison 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 | Edison | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Edison is the larger city
— approximately 2.3x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Edison has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Edison | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,585 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Edison
Advantages
Edison Public Schools rank consistently high in academic performance and college readiness within New Jersey.
Exceptional commuter access via two Northeast Corridor NJ Transit stations and major highways like I-287 and the NJ Turnpike.
Rich cultural diversity reflected in a vibrant array of authentic dining, grocery stores, and community festivals.
Abundant recreational green spaces, notably the sprawling Roosevelt Park with its lake and cultural arts center.
Strong local economy anchored by major corporate presence, healthcare, and professional services.
Drawbacks
High property taxes and cost of living compared to the national average.
Heavy rush-hour traffic congestion along major thoroughfares such as Route 1 and Interstate 287.
Fierce competition and high price points in the local housing and real estate market.
High degree of car dependency for daily errands outside of immediate transit and commercial zones.
Limited new single-family housing inventory driving up purchase prices.
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.
Edison
#410New Jersey, USA
58.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,200
Avg Salary
$82,000
Cost Index
124
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
250/yr
Avg Temp
55.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.20%
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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