Performance
Score Breakdown
Flint
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Flint is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
58% lower compared to Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Flint's average rent is
17% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Flint | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,138 | -17% |
| Groceries | $0 | $404 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $194 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $312 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $226 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $950 | $2,274 | -58% |
| Cost Index | 78 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 56% 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 Flint is estimated at
$35,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Flint | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $23,997 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $35,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 30,765 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $37,646 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Flint | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Flint.
Flint 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 | Flint | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 50.0/10 | 33.0/10 |
| Walkability | 50.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Flint is the larger city
— approximately 1.7x 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 | Flint | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,175 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 13.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Flint
Advantages
The cost of living in Flint is significantly lower than the national average, making it highly affordable.
Housing costs, including both rent and property values, are considerably more affordable in Flint compared to many other U.S. cities.
Flint is home to important cultural institutions like the Flint Cultural Center, offering artistic and educational attractions.
The city has a strong healthcare infrastructure with three major regional hospitals providing comprehensive medical services.
Employment in Flint saw a growth rate of 2.45% from 2023 to 2024, indicating some positive job market movement.
Drawbacks
Flint has a very high crime rate, with a safety score of 18/100 and violent crime rates significantly above the national average in 2024.
The unemployment rate in Flint was 13.1% in 2026, which is considerably higher than the national average.
A substantial portion of Flint's population, 34.1% in 2024, lives below the poverty line.
Concerns about water quality persist among residents, as highlighted in 2024 community surveys.
The city has experienced a long-term population decline, with the metropolitan area decreasing by 5.3% between 2010 and 2024.
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.
Flint
#18Michigan, USA
74.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$23,997
Cost Index
78
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
50.0/10
Walkability
50.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
13.10%
Livability
74
Business
0
Binghamton
#85New York, USA
65.0 / 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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