City Comparison
Gießen vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Gießen scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Gießen
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Gießen is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
28% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Gießen's average rent is
25% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Gießen | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,138 | -25% |
| Groceries | $320 | $404 | -21% |
| Utilities | $220 | $194 | +13% |
| Transport | $55 | $312 | -82% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $226 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $1,645 | $2,274 | -28% |
| Cost Index | 72 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 18% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Gießen delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Gießen is estimated at
$38,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Gießen | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $38,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,500 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $48,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Gießen runs warmer on average — a 50.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Gießen comes out ahead with 254 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Gießen sees 9.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Gießen | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 76.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 31.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 26.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 9.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 254 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Gießen.
Gießen scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Gießen leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Gießen | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 70.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 78.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Gießen is the larger city
— approximately 2x 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 | Gießen | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 93,500 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.30% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Gießen
Advantages
Justus Liebig University and TH Mittelhessen drive a young, vibrant, and culturally rich local atmosphere.
Extensive regional rail connectivity provides direct and rapid access to Frankfurt am Main and surrounding hubs.
Abundant green spaces, parks, and proximity to the Lahn river valley offer excellent outdoor recreation.
Renting and general living costs remain notably lower than in nearby major metropolitan centers like Frankfurt.
High concentration of top-tier medical facilities anchored by the university hospital guarantees exceptional healthcare access.
Drawbacks
Competitive rental housing market during peak university enrollment periods leads to constrained availability for small apartments.
Bicycle theft rates are higher than the national average due to the heavy reliance on cycling among students.
Local employment opportunities are heavily concentrated in education and healthcare, with fewer corporate headquarters.
Winter months can feature prolonged overcast days with limited direct sunlight despite a solid annual average.
Traffic congestion during peak morning and evening commuting hours can affect major arterial roads entering the city.
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.
Gießen
#8Hesse, Germany
68.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$45,000
Cost Index
72
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
70.0/100
Walkability
78.0/100
Sunny Days
254/yr
Avg Temp
50.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
5.30%
Livability
76
Business
65
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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