City Comparison
Gelsenkirchen vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Gelsenkirchen scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Gelsenkirchen
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Gelsenkirchen is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
27% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Gelsenkirchen's average rent is
43% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Gelsenkirchen | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $650 | $1,138 | -43% |
| Groceries | $380 | $404 | -6% |
| Utilities | $350 | $194 | +80% |
| Transport | $90 | $312 | -71% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $226 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $1,670 | $2,274 | -27% |
| Cost Index | 72 | 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 Gelsenkirchen is estimated at
$28,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Gelsenkirchen | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $24,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $28,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 33,333 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $22,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Gelsenkirchen | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 74.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Gelsenkirchen.
Gelsenkirchen scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Gelsenkirchen leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Gelsenkirchen | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 68.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 64.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Gelsenkirchen is the larger city
— approximately 5.8x 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 | Gelsenkirchen | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 271,785 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.72% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 43.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 14.60% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Gelsenkirchen
Advantages
Median apartment purchase prices remain exceptionally affordable at approximately €139 per square foot in the city center per Numbeo data.
Average monthly rental rates are among the lowest in Germany, offering significant cost relief for renters.
Extensive green infrastructure, including the expansive Nordsternpark and Emscher Landscape Park trail networks.
Excellent regional transit connectivity via the Gelsenkirchen Hauptbahnhof and major surrounding autobahns (A2, A40, A42).
Rich cultural and sports heritage anchored by FC Schalke 04 and the distinctive Musiktheater im Revier.
Drawbacks
The city records one of the highest municipal unemployment rates in western Germany, standing around 14.6% per federal labor statistics.
Average disposable household incomes trail significantly behind the national German average.
Socioeconomic challenges persist, including elevated child poverty rates and heavy reliance on state welfare support.
Older industrial housing stock often requires substantial energy efficiency and modernization investments.
Local government budgets face structural deficits, limiting extensive public-led urban enhancement projects.
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.
Gelsenkirchen
#96North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
47.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$650
Avg Salary
$24,000
Cost Index
72
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
68.0/100
Walkability
64.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.72%
Unemployment
14.60%
Livability
65
Business
54
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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