City Comparison
Hagen vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Hagen scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hagen
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Hagen is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
23% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Hagen's average rent is
25% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Hagen | 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 | 82 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 13% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Hagen delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Hagen is estimated at
$42,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Hagen | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,537 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $46,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Hagen runs warmer on average — a 53.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Hagen comes out ahead with 233 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Hagen sees 17.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Hagen | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 75.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 35.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 30.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 17.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 233 | |
| Humidity | 76.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to Hagen.
Hagen scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Hagen leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hagen | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 65.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Hagen is the larger city
— approximately 4x 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 | Hagen | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,529 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 44.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 10.40% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hagen
Advantages
Average rent and home purchase prices remain significantly lower than the North Rhine-Westphalia state average per IT.NRW data.
Extensive access to green spaces, forests, and rivers, with over 40% of the city area consisting of woods and parks.
Major regional rail hub providing direct, fast commuter connections to Dortmund, Düsseldorf, and Cologne.
Home to the FernUniversität in Hagen, Germany's largest state-run distance-learning university.
Rich industrial heritage paired with cultural landmarks like the Karl Ernst Osthaus Museum and the Open-Air Museum.
Drawbacks
Local unemployment rates historically run higher than the national German average per Bundesagentur für Arbeit figures.
Structural economic transition from heavy manufacturing has created ongoing fiscal challenges for the municipality.
Topography featuring steep hills and valleys can complicate local traffic flow and walkability in outlying residential zones.
Commercial retail centers face competitive pressure from larger nearby shopping hubs in Dortmund and Bochum.
Some central urban districts experience higher-than-average municipal maintenance needs and localized social stress.
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.
Hagen
#93North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
52.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
65.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
233/yr
Avg Temp
53.20°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
10.40%
Livability
71
Business
64
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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