City Comparison
Flagstaff vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Flagstaff scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Flagstaff
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
26% lower than in Flagstaff.
Housing costs are a major driver: Flagstaff's average rent is
86% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Flagstaff | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,119 | $1,138 | +86% |
| Groceries | $400 | $404 | -1% |
| Utilities | $237 | $194 | +22% |
| Transport | $90 | $312 | -71% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $226 | +2% |
| Monthly Total | $3,076 | $2,274 | +35% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Flagstaff offers 11% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Flagstaff delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Flagstaff is estimated at
$58,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Flagstaff | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,250 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 51,907 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $71,512 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Flagstaff runs warmer on average — a 52°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Flagstaff comes out ahead with 296 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Flagstaff sees 40.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Flagstaff | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 28.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 16.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 40.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 296 | |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Flagstaff scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Flagstaff leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Flagstaff | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Flagstaff is the larger city
— approximately 1.6x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Binghamton has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Flagstaff | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,445 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.86% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 25.9 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Flagstaff
Advantages
Median property value in Flagstaff is supported by strong long-term real estate demand, appreciating steadily over recent years.
Over 52% of adult residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, creating an educated, intellectually engaged community.
Exceptional outdoor recreation access, featuring 296 sunny days per year and proximity to national forests and the Grand Canyon.
Thriving local craft beer, coffee, and independent culinary scene anchored by a historic, pedestrian-friendly downtown.
Robust local healthcare sector anchored by Flagstaff Medical Center, providing high-tier regional medical services.
Drawbacks
Average monthly rent exceeds $2,000, creating severe affordability challenges for service workers and renters.
Severe housing inventory constraints driven by strict environmental boundaries and geographic limits on urban expansion.
Heavy winter snowfalls (averaging over 40 inches annually) can create seasonal commuting hurdles and elevated utility heating costs.
Poverty rate sits notably higher than state or national averages due to a large student population earning minimal part-time wages.
Local wages often lag behind the high cost of living compared to larger metropolitan economic hubs in Arizona.
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.
Flagstaff
#475Arizona, USA
54.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,119
Avg Salary
$61,250
Cost Index
118
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
296/yr
Avg Temp
52.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.86%
Unemployment
5.10%
Livability
79
Business
70
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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