City Comparison
Erlangen vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Erlangen scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Erlangen
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in Erlangen.
Housing costs are a major driver: Erlangen's average rent is
19% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Erlangen | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,138 | +19% |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +4% |
| Utilities | $220 | $194 | +13% |
| Transport | $95 | $312 | -70% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $226 | +6% |
| Monthly Total | $2,325 | $2,274 | +2% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Erlangen offers 13% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Erlangen delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Erlangen is estimated at
$52,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Erlangen | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,407 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $64,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Erlangen runs warmer on average — a 50.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Erlangen comes out ahead with 248 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Erlangen sees 8.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Erlangen | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 77.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 30.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 27.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 8.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 248 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Erlangen.
Erlangen scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Erlangen leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Erlangen | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 78.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 82.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Low | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Erlangen is the larger city
— approximately 2.5x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Erlangen has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Erlangen | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 116,084 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Erlangen
Advantages
World-class healthcare infrastructure anchored by the Universitätsklinikum Erlangen
Exceptional cycling infrastructure and high overall walkability scores
Thriving high-tech job market led by Siemens Healthineers and major research facilities
Very low crime rates and high overall community safety profile
Vibrant cultural scene combining traditional Franconian heritage with a diverse student population
Drawbacks
Competitive and expensive housing market with high rental costs
Cost of living significantly exceeds the German national average
Limited availability of parking in the historic city center
Cooler, overcast winter months with limited direct sunlight
High demand for real estate creates significant pressure for newcomers seeking apartments
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.
Erlangen
#20Bavaria, Germany
65.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
78.0/100
Walkability
82.0/100
Sunny Days
248/yr
Avg Temp
50.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
86
Business
82
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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