City Comparison
Lakeville vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lakeville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lakeville
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
33% lower than in Lakeville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lakeville's average rent is
111% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Lakeville | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,405 | $1,138 | +111% |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +4% |
| Utilities | $185 | $194 | -5% |
| Transport | $125 | $312 | -60% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $226 | +6% |
| Monthly Total | $3,375 | $2,274 | +48% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lakeville offers 42% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Lakeville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Lakeville is estimated at
$62,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Lakeville | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 72,222 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $139,041 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Lakeville runs warmer on average — a 46.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Lakeville comes out ahead with 257 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lakeville sees 32.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lakeville | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 46.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 78.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 7.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 42.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 32.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 257 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Lakeville.
Lakeville 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 | Lakeville | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Lakeville is the larger city
— approximately 1.7x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Lakeville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Lakeville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Lakeville | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,270 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.10% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Lakeville
Advantages
Median household income in Lakeville reaches approximately $139,041 per year per U.S. Census Bureau data.
The city boasts an exceptional safety profile with crime rates significantly below the national average.
Lakeville Area Schools (ISD 194) provide top-tier educational opportunities and high student achievement.
Abundant natural amenities include multiple lakes and over 60 parks with extensive recreational trails.
Strong local job growth and low unemployment rates support a stable and thriving local economy.
Drawbacks
Cost of living and home purchase prices exceed the national average, creating affordability hurdles.
High car dependency means limited public transit options for daily non-driving commuters.
Rental housing markets are competitive, with rising average rents across multi-family properties.
Winters feature prolonged sub-freezing temperatures and heavy seasonal snowfall management requirements.
Traffic congestion can peak during traditional rush hours along major thoroughfares like Interstate 35.
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.
Lakeville
#66Minnesota, USA
69.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,405
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
257/yr
Avg Temp
46.60°F
Pop. Growth
2.10%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
83
Business
76
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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