City Comparison
La Plata vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
La Plata scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
La Plata
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
La Plata is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
61% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: La Plata's average rent is
60% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | La Plata | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $450 | $1,138 | -60% |
| Groceries | $250 | $404 | -38% |
| Utilities | $65 | $194 | -66% |
| Transport | $40 | $312 | -87% |
| Healthcare | $80 | $226 | -65% |
| Monthly Total | $885 | $2,274 | -61% |
| Cost Index | 45 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 98% lower 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 La Plata is estimated at
$700 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | La Plata | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $850 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $700 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 1,889 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $10,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
La Plata runs warmer on average — a 63.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, La Plata comes out ahead with 270 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — La Plata sees 0.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | La Plata | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 57.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 68.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 44.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 270 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to La Plata.
La Plata scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, La Plata leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | La Plata | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 65.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 78.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Low | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
La Plata is the larger city
— approximately 15.2x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, La Plata 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 | La Plata | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 710,000 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 7.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
La Plata
Advantages
Home to the prestigious National University of La Plata, creating a vibrant, educated, and youthful community.
Unique planned urban design featuring diagonal avenues and a green square every six blocks.
Abundant public parks and green spaces, such as the expansive Paseo del Bosque.
Lower cost of living and housing compared to nearby Buenos Aires while offering robust urban amenities.
Comprehensive regional healthcare network serving as a medical hub for the province.
Drawbacks
Macroeconomic volatility and national inflation rates impact local purchasing power and pricing.
Rental market can experience tight competition and price surges near university zones at the start of semesters.
Traffic congestion along major diagonal avenues during peak commuting hours.
Opportune petty crime and property theft require standard urban vigilance.
Public infrastructure maintenance can vary significantly between the central grid and outer neighborhoods.
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.
La Plata
#105Buenos Aires Province, Argentina
66.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$450
Avg Salary
$850
Cost Index
45
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
65.0/100
Walkability
78.0/100
Sunny Days
270/yr
Avg Temp
63.50°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
7.50%
Livability
78
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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