City Comparison
Long Beach vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Long Beach scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Long Beach
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
23% lower than in Long Beach.
Housing costs are a major driver: Long Beach's average rent is
67% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Long Beach | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,900 | $1,138 | +67% |
| Groceries | $460 | $404 | +14% |
| Utilities | $210 | $194 | +8% |
| Transport | $130 | $312 | -58% |
| Healthcare | $270 | $226 | +19% |
| Monthly Total | $2,970 | $2,274 | +31% |
| Cost Index | 142 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Long Beach offers 62% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Long Beach delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Long Beach is estimated at
$68,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Long Beach | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $89,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $68,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,676 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $87,430 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Long Beach runs warmer on average — a 63.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Long Beach comes out ahead with 328 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Long Beach sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Long Beach | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 76.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 49.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 19.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 328 | |
| Humidity | 64.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,000 minutes (117 hours) per year compared to Long Beach.
Long Beach scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Long Beach leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Long Beach | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 56.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Long Beach is the larger city
— approximately 9.6x the population of Binghamton.
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 | Long Beach | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 450,469 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Long Beach
Advantages
Median household income stands at $87,430, supporting a stable local purchasing power relative to state baselines.
Exceptional climate featuring 328 sunny days annually, ideal for outdoor recreation and coastal activities.
World-class higher education infrastructure anchored by California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) and Long Beach City College.
Extensive pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, making core districts like Belmont Shore and Downtown highly walkable and bike-friendly.
Diverse and thriving economy driven by international trade at the Port of Long Beach, aerospace, and robust healthcare sectors.
Drawbacks
High cost of living and steep housing prices, with average rents exceeding national medians.
Traffic congestion along major regional arteries and freeways, particularly related to port freight and commuter transit.
Property crime rates in certain central and urban corridors remain higher than the national average.
State energy taxes and utility costs run noticeably higher than the U.S. average.
Poverty rate sits near 14.3%, indicating income inequality across specific neighborhood pockets.
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.
Long Beach
#579California, USA
45.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,900
Avg Salary
$89,000
Cost Index
142
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
328/yr
Avg Temp
63.70°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.10%
Livability
78
Business
72
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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