City Comparison
Monterrey vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Monterrey scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Monterrey
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Monterrey is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
30% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Monterrey's average rent is
17% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Monterrey | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,138 | -17% |
| Groceries | $320 | $404 | -21% |
| Utilities | $110 | $194 | -43% |
| Transport | $75 | $312 | -76% |
| Healthcare | $140 | $226 | -38% |
| Monthly Total | $1,595 | $2,274 | -30% |
| Cost Index | 52 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 74% 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 Monterrey is estimated at
$12,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Monterrey | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $14,500 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $12,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 27,885 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $18,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Monterrey runs warmer on average — a 73.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Monterrey comes out ahead with 284 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Monterrey sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Monterrey | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 73.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 92.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 48.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 17.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 284 | |
| Humidity | 58.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
9,500 minutes (158 hours) per year compared to Monterrey.
Monterrey scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Monterrey | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 35 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 55.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 65.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Monterrey is the larger city
— approximately 24.4x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Monterrey is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Monterrey has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Monterrey | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,142,994 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.40% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Monterrey
Advantages
Leading industrial and manufacturing hub in Mexico with exceptional career opportunities in engineering and corporate management
Home to world-class private healthcare facilities and internationally accredited hospitals attracting medical tourists
Proximity to dramatic natural landscapes including Chipinque Ecological Park and the Sierra Madre Oriental mountains
Presence of top-tier educational institutions like the Tecnológico de Monterrey fostering innovation and startup ecosystems
High standard of living and modern commercial infrastructure in premier districts like San Pedro Garza García
Drawbacks
Significantly higher cost of living and housing prices compared to the national Mexican average
Heavy reliance on automobiles leading to notable traffic congestion during peak hours
Extreme summer high temperatures averaging 92.7°F that can strain municipal water and energy resources
Limited annual rainfall of 17.9 inches presenting periodic regional water scarcity challenges
Urban sprawl creating disparate walkability and transit access across suburban municipalities
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.
Monterrey
#5Nuevo León, Mexico
82.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$14,500
Cost Index
52
Commute
35 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
284/yr
Avg Temp
73.10°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
74
Business
82
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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