City Comparison
Ensenada vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Ensenada scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Ensenada
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ensenada is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
56% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Ensenada's average rent is
52% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Ensenada | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $547 | $1,138 | -52% |
| Groceries | $250 | $404 | -38% |
| Utilities | $110 | $194 | -43% |
| Transport | $95 | $312 | -70% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $226 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,002 | $2,274 | -56% |
| Cost Index | 70 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 76% 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 Ensenada is estimated at
$20,652 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Ensenada | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $13,314 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $20,652 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 19,020 idx | 50,000 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Ensenada runs warmer on average — a 62.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Ensenada comes out ahead with 327 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Ensenada sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Ensenada | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 62.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 73.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 49.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 10.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 327 | |
| Humidity | 81.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Ensenada.
Ensenada scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Ensenada leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Ensenada | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 70.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Ensenada is the larger city
— approximately 7.9x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Ensenada is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Ensenada has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Ensenada | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 368,000 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.68% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 35.9 | |
| Unemployment | 2.70% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Ensenada
Advantages
Ensenada offers a significantly lower cost of living compared to Southern California, with affordable rent and daily expenses [2, 14].
The city boasts a world-class culinary scene, particularly renowned for its fresh seafood and as the birthplace of the fish taco [5, 14].
Its location provides a mild Mediterranean climate and proximity to the Pacific Ocean, ideal for outdoor activities and a relaxed lifestyle [6, 37].
Ensenada is a gateway to the Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico's premier wine region, offering extensive wine tasting and culinary experiences [5, 6, 37].
The city has a growing expat community and a welcoming, often bilingual, local population, facilitating integration for newcomers [4, 14, 31, 37].
Drawbacks
Infrastructure, particularly roads and traffic management, has not fully kept pace with the city's growth, leading to congestion and potholes [2, 10].
While generally safe in tourist areas, the state of Baja California has a Level 3 travel advisory, and localized crime, though not typically targeting tourists, requires awareness [16, 17].
Salaries in Ensenada can be considerably lower than in the U.S., making a comfortable lifestyle challenging for locals on average wages [2, 8].
Baja California faces water resource availability challenges, which can occasionally lead to supply interruptions for residents [14].
The city's character as a working port and industrial center means it may appear less manicured than some resort destinations, requiring a pragmatic approach to security and infrastructure [16, 23].
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.
Ensenada
#98Baja California, Mexico
74.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$547
Avg Salary
$13,314
Cost Index
70
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
70.0/100
Sunny Days
327/yr
Avg Temp
62.50°F
Pop. Growth
1.68%
Unemployment
2.70%
Livability
72
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Ensenada and Binghamton.
Open Cost Calculator