City Comparison
Melfi vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Melfi scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Melfi
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Melfi is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
40% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Melfi's average rent is
43% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Melfi | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $650 | $1,138 | -43% |
| Groceries | $350 | $404 | -13% |
| Utilities | $160 | $194 | -18% |
| Transport | $85 | $312 | -73% |
| Healthcare | $120 | $226 | -47% |
| Monthly Total | $1,365 | $2,274 | -40% |
| Cost Index | 72 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 49% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Binghamton delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Melfi is estimated at
$24,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Melfi | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $28,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $24,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 38,889 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $29,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Melfi runs warmer on average — a 59.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Melfi comes out ahead with 268 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Melfi sees 10.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Melfi | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 59.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 38.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 30.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 10.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 268 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Melfi.
Melfi scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Melfi leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Melfi | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Melfi.
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 | Melfi | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,500 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 44.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 9.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Melfi
Advantages
Significantly lower housing costs and overall cost of living compared to northern Italian cities.
Rich historical heritage highlighted by the iconic Norman-Swabian Castle and Mount Vulture landscapes.
Extremely low crime rates and a secure, family-friendly community environment.
Strong local economy anchored by major automotive manufacturing and supportive industrial supply chains.
Profound access to outdoor recreation, including hiking trails, volcanic lakes, and regional nature reserves.
Drawbacks
High reliance on personal vehicles due to limited public transit options across the mountainous terrain.
Economy is heavily dependent on a single major industrial sector (automotive manufacturing).
Limited high-end cultural nightlife and entertainment venues compared to larger metropolitan hubs.
Youth outmigration trends impact broader demographic growth and local service expansion.
Specialized medical care requires travel to larger regional hospitals outside the immediate municipality.
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.
Melfi
#72Basilicata, Italy
64.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$650
Avg Salary
$28,000
Cost Index
72
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
268/yr
Avg Temp
59.10°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
9.50%
Livability
75
Business
68
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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