City Comparison
Irvine vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Irvine scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Irvine
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
44% lower than in Irvine.
Housing costs are a major driver: Irvine's average rent is
169% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Irvine | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $3,066 | $1,138 | +169% |
| Groceries | $450 | $404 | +11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $194 | -7% |
| Transport | $120 | $312 | -62% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $226 | +11% |
| Monthly Total | $4,066 | $2,274 | +79% |
| Cost Index | 168 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Irvine offers 49% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Binghamton delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Irvine is estimated at
$95,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Irvine | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $82,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $95,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 48,810 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $136,719 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Irvine runs warmer on average — a 64.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Irvine comes out ahead with 324 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Irvine sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Irvine | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 64.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 49.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 19.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 324 | |
| Humidity | 60.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Irvine.
Irvine scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Irvine leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Irvine | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Irvine is the larger city
— approximately 6.8x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Irvine is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Irvine has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Irvine | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 318,693 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.10% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Irvine
Advantages
Consistently ranked as one of the safest big cities in America for consecutive years per FBI statistics and local safety reports.
Irvine Unified School District achieves exceptional performance metrics, with high school graduation rates exceeding 97%.
Home to more than 19,000 thriving businesses providing robust local employment and career mobility.
Extensive outdoor recreational infrastructure featuring over 16,000 acres of preserved open space and extensive bicycle trails.
High concentration of residents with higher education degrees, fostering a progressive, intellectually vibrant community.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living sits roughly 68% higher than the national average, heavily driven by housing expenses.
Median home purchase prices scale past $1.4 million, presenting a steep barrier to entry for prospective first-time buyers.
High reliance on automobile travel for daily errands despite solid local bicycle infrastructure.
Strict homeowner association (HOA) regulations and municipal codes govern property aesthetics and modifications.
Rental prices remain among the highest in Southern California, placing considerable pressure on non-homeowners.
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.
Irvine
#275California, USA
61.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$3,066
Avg Salary
$82,000
Cost Index
168
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
324/yr
Avg Temp
64.10°F
Pop. Growth
2.10%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
88
Business
82
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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