City Comparison
Fayetteville vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fayetteville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fayetteville
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fayetteville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
4% lower compared to Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fayetteville's average rent is
23% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Fayetteville | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,402 | $1,138 | +23% |
| Groceries | $400 | $404 | -1% |
| Utilities | $180 | $194 | -7% |
| Transport | $40 | $312 | -87% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $226 | -34% |
| Monthly Total | $2,172 | $2,274 | -4% |
| Cost Index | 91 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fayetteville offers 27% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Fayetteville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fayetteville is estimated at
$55,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Fayetteville | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $70,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 76,923 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $66,237 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Fayetteville runs warmer on average — a 60.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Fayetteville comes out ahead with 257 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Fayetteville sees 8.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fayetteville | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 60.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 30.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 41.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 8.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 257 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Fayetteville.
Binghamton scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Fayetteville leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fayetteville | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 33.0/10 |
| Walkability | 89.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 60.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fayetteville is the larger city
— approximately 2.3x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Fayetteville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Fayetteville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fayetteville | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,623 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.10% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fayetteville
Advantages
Fayetteville consistently ranks as one of the best places to live in the U.S..
The cost of living in Fayetteville is 8.6% lower than the national average.
The city boasts a high livability score of 81/100, ranking in the 96th percentile nationally.
Fayetteville has a strong job market, with job growth outpacing the national rate since 2011.
The city is very walkable, with a Walk Score of 89 out of 100, and extensive trail systems.
Drawbacks
Fayetteville's total crime rate is 32% higher than the national average.
The violent crime rate in Fayetteville is 18% higher than the national average.
Public transportation options are limited, making car ownership almost a necessity.
The homeownership rate in Fayetteville (41.8% in 2024) is lower than the national average.
Traffic congestion can be an issue, particularly during major university events.
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.
Fayetteville
#81Arkansas, USA
58.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,402
Avg Salary
$70,000
Cost Index
91
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
89.0/10
Sunny Days
257/yr
Avg Temp
60.20°F
Pop. Growth
2.10%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
81
Business
75
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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