City Comparison
Leawood vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Leawood scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Leawood
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
18% lower than in Leawood.
Housing costs are a major driver: Leawood's average rent is
54% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Leawood | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,138 | +54% |
| Groceries | $480 | $404 | +19% |
| Utilities | $190 | $194 | -2% |
| Transport | $140 | $312 | -55% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $226 | +2% |
| Monthly Total | $2,790 | $2,274 | +23% |
| Cost Index | 125 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Leawood offers 73% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Leawood delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Leawood is estimated at
$75,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Leawood | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $95,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $75,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 76,000 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $165,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Leawood runs warmer on average — a 56.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Leawood comes out ahead with 270 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Leawood sees 17.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Leawood | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 86.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 22.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 39.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 17.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 270 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Leawood.
Binghamton 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 | Leawood | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 32.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Leawood.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Leawood has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Leawood | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 34,650 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 45.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Leawood
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the safest cities in Kansas with violent crime rates well below the national average.
Home to top-performing public schools within the Blue Valley and Shawnee Mission school districts.
Exceptional median household income exceeding $160,000 per year per U.S. Census Bureau data.
Abundant green spaces, including over a dozen public parks and extensive hike-and-bike trail networks.
Premier shopping and dining destinations like Town Center Plaza and Park Place.
Drawbacks
Significantly higher cost of living and housing prices compared to the national average and Kansas state norms.
High level of car dependency with limited public transportation infrastructure within residential zones.
High property tax burdens associated with high municipal real estate valuations.
Limited inventory of affordable starter homes for first-time buyers within city limits.
Competitive real estate market driven by high demand for top school districts.
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.
Leawood
#171Kansas, USA
64.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$95,000
Cost Index
125
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
32.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
270/yr
Avg Temp
56.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
92
Business
78
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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