City Comparison
Hamden vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Hamden scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hamden
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
26% lower than in Hamden.
Housing costs are a major driver: Hamden's average rent is
85% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Hamden | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,100 | $1,138 | +85% |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +4% |
| Utilities | $185 | $194 | -5% |
| Transport | $125 | $312 | -60% |
| Healthcare | $260 | $226 | +15% |
| Monthly Total | $3,090 | $2,274 | +36% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Hamden offers 31% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Hamden delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Hamden is estimated at
$62,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Hamden | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $98,306 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Hamden runs warmer on average — a 51.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Hamden comes out ahead with 248 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Hamden sees 23.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Hamden | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 21.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 45.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 23.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 248 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to Hamden.
Hamden scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Hamden leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hamden | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Hamden is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Hamden has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Hamden | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,045 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hamden
Advantages
Median household income in Hamden stands at a strong $98,306, outperforming the national average.
Proximity to world-class outdoor recreation, highlighted by the iconic Sleeping Giant State Park.
Convenient access to major employment centers in New Haven and academic institutions like Quinnipiac University.
Diverse residential neighborhoods offering everything from historic character to modern suburban developments.
Active municipal programming and community events hosted regularly at Town Center Park.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living and property taxes run higher than the national median.
Certain transit routes rely heavily on car travel, leading to peak-hour congestion along major arteries like Route 10.
Rental inventory can experience tight competition due to proximity to regional universities.
Winter weather brings heavy snowfall averaging over 23 inches annually, requiring active municipal snow removal.
Property prices have faced upward pressure, making entry-level homeownership more competitive.
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.
Hamden
#208Connecticut, USA
63.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,100
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
248/yr
Avg Temp
51.90°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
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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