City Comparison
Junction City vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Junction City scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Junction City
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Junction City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
20% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Junction City's average rent is
17% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Junction City | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,138 | -17% |
| Groceries | $380 | $404 | -6% |
| Utilities | $170 | $194 | -12% |
| Transport | $110 | $312 | -65% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $226 | -3% |
| Monthly Total | $1,830 | $2,274 | -20% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 2% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Junction City delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Junction City is estimated at
$45,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Junction City | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,364 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $53,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Junction City runs warmer on average — a 57°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Junction City comes out ahead with 285 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Junction City sees 14.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Junction City | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 86.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 20.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 27.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 14.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 285 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Junction City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Binghamton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Junction City | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Junction City.
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 | Junction City | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 22,932 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Junction City
Advantages
Median home prices in Junction City are significantly below the national average per U.S. Census Bureau data.
Proximity to Milford Lake provides exceptional outdoor recreation, boating, and fishing opportunities.
Strong local economy supported by stable employment tied to nearby Fort Riley.
Short average commute times enhance daily convenience and work-life balance.
Low cost of living index compared to national benchmarks.
Drawbacks
High reliance on personal vehicles due to limited public transit infrastructure.
Property crime rates slightly exceed national median figures in certain areas per FBI crime data.
Limited high-end entertainment and nightlife options within city limits.
Weather extremes including cold winters and severe storm potential during spring.
Rental market fluctuations influenced by military deployment cycles at Fort Riley.
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.
Junction City
#409Kansas, USA
58.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
285/yr
Avg Temp
57.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
70
Business
65
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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