City Comparison
Mexicali vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Mexicali scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Mexicali
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mexicali is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Binghamton.
| Metric | Mexicali | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,036 | $1,138 | -9% |
| Groceries | $450 | $404 | +11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $194 | -7% |
| Transport | $120 | $312 | -62% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $226 | +11% |
| Monthly Total | $2,036 | $2,274 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 96% 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 Mexicali is estimated at
$1,500 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Mexicali | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $2,170 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $1,500 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 2,284 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $62,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Mexicali runs warmer on average — a 78.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Mexicali comes out ahead with 348 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Mexicali sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Mexicali | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 78.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 109.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 51.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 4.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 348 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Mexicali.
Mexicali scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Mexicali leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Mexicali | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Mexicali is the larger city
— approximately 23.2x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Mexicali is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Mexicali has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Mexicali | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,083,531 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 30.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 2.38% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Mexicali
Advantages
Strong and diverse economy with significant aerospace, electronics, and agricultural sectors.
Affordable cost of living compared to U.S. border cities and some major Mexican cities.
Growing middle and upper class contributing to a high standard of living and vibrant culture.
Strategic location near the U.S. border facilitating trade and business opportunities.
Improving healthcare infrastructure with modern facilities and skilled professionals.
Drawbacks
Air quality is a recurring health concern, with 'Red' and 'Hazardous' AQI alerts reported.
The Mexicali Valley has travel restrictions for U.S. employees due to its location on smuggling routes.
Car dependency is high, with most residents relying on private vehicles for transportation.
While improving, healthcare quality can vary, and official ratings are not as standardized as in the U.S.
Water availability from the Colorado River is a critical factor for the agricultural sector's future.
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.
Mexicali
#168Baja California, Mexico
69.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,036
Avg Salary
$2,170
Cost Index
95
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
348/yr
Avg Temp
78.30°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
2.38%
Livability
74
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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