City Comparison
Glenrothes vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Glenrothes scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Glenrothes
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Glenrothes is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
20% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Glenrothes's average rent is
17% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Glenrothes | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,138 | -17% |
| Groceries | $380 | $404 | -6% |
| Utilities | $180 | $194 | -7% |
| Transport | $110 | $312 | -65% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $226 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $1,820 | $2,274 | -20% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 24% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Glenrothes delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Glenrothes is estimated at
$36,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Glenrothes | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $42,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $36,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 51,220 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $41,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Glenrothes runs warmer on average — a 49.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Glenrothes comes out ahead with 226 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Glenrothes sees 5.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Glenrothes | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 49.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 66.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 35.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 33.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 5.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 226 | |
| Humidity | 78.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Glenrothes.
Glenrothes scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Glenrothes leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Glenrothes | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 50.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Glenrothes is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x 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 | Glenrothes | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 50,350 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 42.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Glenrothes
Advantages
Average home prices and rental rates remain significantly lower than in nearby Edinburgh and St Andrews.
Extensive green spaces, including Riverside Park and numerous neighborhood woodlands, offer excellent outdoor recreation.
Strategic central Fife location provides robust road links via the A92 to major Scottish cities.
Thoughtful post-war town planning features extensive pedestrian pathways and segregated cycle routes.
Active local manufacturing and public sector employment base supports stable regional job opportunities.
Drawbacks
Public transport reliance on buses means owning a car is often necessary for efficient regional commuting.
Town center retail has faced challenges from changing consumer habits and out-of-town shopping parks.
Limited high-end nightlife and entertainment options compared to larger Scottish cities.
Certain neighborhoods experience pockets of socioeconomic deprivation and localized underemployment.
Weather can be overcast and damp during extended autumn and winter months.
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.
Glenrothes
#12Scotland, UK
62.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$42,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
50.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
226/yr
Avg Temp
49.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
75
Business
68
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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