City Comparison
Invercargill vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Invercargill scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Invercargill
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
22% lower than in Invercargill.
Housing costs are a major driver: Invercargill's average rent is
74% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Invercargill | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,980 | $1,138 | +74% |
| Groceries | $400 | $404 | -1% |
| Utilities | $196 | $194 | +1% |
| Transport | $90 | $312 | -71% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $226 | +11% |
| Monthly Total | $2,916 | $2,274 | +28% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Invercargill offers similar average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Invercargill delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Invercargill is estimated at
$55,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Invercargill | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $55,050 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,947 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $60,982 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Invercargill runs warmer on average — a 50.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Invercargill comes out ahead with 181 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Invercargill sees 8.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Invercargill | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 50.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 48.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 57.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 8.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 181 | |
| Humidity | 84.60% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Invercargill.
Invercargill scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Invercargill leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Invercargill | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Invercargill is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Invercargill has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Invercargill | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,600 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Invercargill
Advantages
Invercargill is one of New Zealand's most affordable cities, with significantly lower living costs and housing prices compared to major centers.
The city offers excellent access to natural beauty, including Fiordland, The Catlins, and Stewart Island, making it ideal for outdoor enthusiasts.
Invercargill boasts strong community infrastructure, including modern sporting facilities like a stadium, velodrome, and aquatic center.
The housing market is accessible for first-home buyers, with a median rent of NZD 495 per week and a median property price of NZD 547,087 as of August 2026.
The city has a lower crime rate compared to the national average, contributing to a safe living environment.
Drawbacks
The weather in Invercargill is known for being cool and often rainy, with winters that can get quite cold.
Employment opportunities can be more limited compared to larger New Zealand cities, with a strong reliance on primary industries.
The nightlife and entertainment options are generally quieter than in larger urban centers.
Invercargill can feel geographically isolated from other major cities in New Zealand, requiring longer travel times.
While generally safe, Invercargill Central has a crime rate of 545.307 crimes per thousand residents, with theft being the most common offense.
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.
Invercargill
#46Southland, New Zealand
59.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,980
Avg Salary
$55,050
Cost Index
95
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
181/yr
Avg Temp
50.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
74
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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