City Comparison
Meriden vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Meriden scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Meriden
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Meriden.
Housing costs are a major driver: Meriden's average rent is
36% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Meriden | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,550 | $1,138 | +36% |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +4% |
| Utilities | $180 | $194 | -7% |
| Transport | $130 | $312 | -58% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $226 | +6% |
| Monthly Total | $2,520 | $2,274 | +11% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Meriden offers 18% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Meriden delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Meriden is estimated at
$58,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Meriden | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,725 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $68,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Meriden runs warmer on average — a 51.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Meriden comes out ahead with 252 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Meriden sees 24.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Meriden | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 21.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 43.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 24.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 252 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to Meriden.
Meriden 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 | Meriden | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Meriden is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x 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 | Meriden | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,860 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Meriden
Advantages
Median home prices in Meriden remain significantly lower than the Connecticut state average, offering strong value for first-time buyers per Zillow 2025 data.
Hubbard Park provides 1,800+ acres of scenic outdoor recreation, hiking trails, and the iconic Castle Craig tower.
Exceptional regional transit access via the Meriden Hartford Line rail station connecting to New Haven and Hartford.
Strategic geographic location at the crossroads of I-91, I-691, and Route 15, facilitating easy commutes.
Home to MidState Medical Center, offering top-tier healthcare facilities and employment opportunities.
Drawbacks
Property tax rates in Meriden are relatively high, reflective of broader municipal tax structures across Connecticut.
Public school performance metrics vary by district zone, prompting mixed reviews from families.
Walkability is limited outside of the immediate downtown commercial district, resulting in high car dependency.
Traffic congestion along major arteries like I-91 and Route 15 during peak morning and evening rush hours.
Economic mobility and median household income lag slightly behind affluent neighboring suburbs.
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.
Meriden
#474Connecticut, USA
54.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,550
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
252/yr
Avg Temp
51.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
69
Business
64
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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