City Comparison
Freital vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Freital scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Freital
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Freital is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
23% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Freital's average rent is
25% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Freital | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,138 | -25% |
| Groceries | $380 | $404 | -6% |
| Utilities | $220 | $194 | +13% |
| Transport | $95 | $312 | -70% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $226 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $1,745 | $2,274 | -23% |
| Cost Index | 78 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 20% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Freital delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Freital is estimated at
$38,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Freital | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $44,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $38,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 56,410 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $42,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Freital runs warmer on average — a 51.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Freital comes out ahead with 237 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Freital sees 11.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Freital | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 75.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 31.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 25.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 11.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 237 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Freital.
Freital scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Freital leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Freital | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 65.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Freital.
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 | Freital | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 39,420 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.20% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 46.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 6.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Freital
Advantages
Proximity to Dresden allows easy access to major cultural and employment hubs while maintaining lower local living costs.
Housing purchase and rental prices are significantly more affordable than the national German urban averages.
Direct access to the scenic Ore Mountains provides exceptional opportunities for outdoor recreation and hiking.
Robust local industrial base offers stable employment in engineering, manufacturing, and technical sectors.
Efficient S-Bahn regional rail connections link Freital directly to Dresden's central station in under 20 minutes.
Drawbacks
Peak-hour traffic congestion along the primary valley corridors connecting to Dresden can extend daily commutes.
Average local salary levels trail behind western German metropolitan standards.
Limited nightlife and high-end entertainment options locally, requiring trips into Dresden for broader cultural events.
Demographic aging places increasing pressure on local healthcare and municipal eldercare services.
Topographical layout with steep hills can make cycling and walking challenging in certain peripheral neighborhoods.
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.
Freital
#56Saxony, Germany
61.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$44,000
Cost Index
78
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
65.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
237/yr
Avg Temp
51.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.20%
Unemployment
6.20%
Livability
76
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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