City Comparison
Lumsden vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lumsden scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lumsden
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Lumsden is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
26% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lumsden's average rent is
17% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Lumsden | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,138 | -17% |
| Groceries | $380 | $404 | -6% |
| Utilities | $160 | $194 | -18% |
| Transport | $150 | $312 | -52% |
| Healthcare | $50 | $226 | -78% |
| Monthly Total | $1,690 | $2,274 | -26% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 18% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Lumsden delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Lumsden is estimated at
$40,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Lumsden | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $40,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 54,878 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $48,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Lumsden runs warmer on average — a 49.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Lumsden comes out ahead with 195 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lumsden sees 13.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lumsden | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 49.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 47.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 47.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 55.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 13.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 195 | |
| Humidity | 78.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Binghamton scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Lumsden leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Lumsden | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 15.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger 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 | Lumsden | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 450 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 42.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Lumsden
Advantages
Median home prices in Southland remain significantly more affordable than the national New Zealand average per REINZ data.
Extremely low crime rates provide a safe, secure environment for families and retirees.
Proximity to world-class trout fishing rivers and the Around the Mountains Cycle Trail offers unmatched outdoor recreation.
A strong, welcoming community spirit with active local clubs and volunteer organizations.
Peaceful rural atmosphere with minimal traffic congestion and clean southern air.
Drawbacks
Limited local employment diversity, heavily dependent on the agricultural and farming sectors.
Scarcity of rental housing options makes finding accommodation challenging for newcomers.
High car dependency with virtually no local public transit network.
Distance from major urban centers means traveling over an hour for specialized shopping and secondary healthcare.
Cooler winter climate requires higher expenditure on residential heating.
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.
Lumsden
#12Southland, New Zealand
67.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$45,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
195/yr
Avg Temp
49.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
75
Business
62
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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