City Comparison
Mannheim vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Mannheim scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Mannheim
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mannheim is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Mannheim's average rent is
10% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Mannheim | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,138 | +10% |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +4% |
| Utilities | $220 | $194 | +13% |
| Transport | $90 | $312 | -71% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $226 | +24% |
| Monthly Total | $2,260 | $2,274 | -1% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 2% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Mannheim delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Mannheim is estimated at
$48,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Mannheim | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 55,102 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $58,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Mannheim runs warmer on average — a 53.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Mannheim comes out ahead with 257 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Mannheim sees 7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Mannheim | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 78.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 33.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 29.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 7.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 257 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Mannheim.
Mannheim scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Mannheim leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Mannheim | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 82.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 79.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Mannheim is the larger city
— approximately 6.8x 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 | Mannheim | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 316,341 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 41.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 6.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Mannheim
Advantages
Strategic central location in the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region with exceptional high-speed rail connections.
Vibrant cultural scene featuring the National Theatre Mannheim, Kunsthalle, and diverse music festivals.
Abundant urban green spaces including the expansive Luisenpark and Herzogenriedpark.
Strong local economy driven by major global enterprises in chemicals, engineering, and energy.
High standard of public infrastructure with comprehensive tram networks and bike-friendly urban planning.
Drawbacks
Competitive rental housing market with rising prices for apartments in central districts.
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours on major thoroughfares and bridges crossing the rivers.
Higher living costs compared to smaller rural towns in Baden-Württemberg.
Occasional petty crime and elevated activity around the central station area at night.
Industrial heritage elements mean certain areas lack traditional picturesque historic charm.
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.
Mannheim
#80Baden-Württemberg, Germany
57.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
82.0/100
Walkability
79.0/100
Sunny Days
257/yr
Avg Temp
53.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
6.20%
Livability
77
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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