City Comparison
Nancy vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Nancy scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Nancy
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Nancy is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
38% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Nancy's average rent is
34% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Nancy | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $750 | $1,138 | -34% |
| Groceries | $380 | $404 | -6% |
| Utilities | $170 | $194 | -12% |
| Transport | $55 | $312 | -82% |
| Healthcare | $60 | $226 | -73% |
| Monthly Total | $1,415 | $2,274 | -38% |
| Cost Index | 78 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 25% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Nancy delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Nancy is estimated at
$36,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Nancy | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $41,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $36,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,564 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $39,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Nancy runs warmer on average — a 52.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Nancy comes out ahead with 249 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Nancy sees 8.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Nancy | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 77.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 34.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 34.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 8.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Nancy.
Nancy scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Nancy leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Nancy | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 68.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 74.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Low | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Nancy is the larger city
— approximately 2.2x 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 | Nancy | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 104,885 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 8.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Nancy
Advantages
Median home purchase and rental prices are significantly lower than the French national average.
Home to the UNESCO-listed Place Stanislas, offering exceptional 18th-century architecture and public spaces.
High-speed TGV rail service connects Nancy to Paris in under an hour and a half.
Extensive higher education and research infrastructure anchored by the Université de Lorraine.
Abundant green spaces, including the expansive Parc de la Pepinière in the city center.
Drawbacks
Regional winter temperatures can be cold and overcast with limited sunlight.
Local salaries lag behind major economic powerhouses like Paris and Lyon.
Parking in the historic city center can be scarce and expensive.
Economic growth heavily relies on public sector and institutional employers.
High demand for student housing can create competitive rental markets in specific districts.
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.
Nancy
#18Grand Est, France
57.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$750
Avg Salary
$41,000
Cost Index
78
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
68.0/100
Walkability
74.0/100
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
52.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
8.20%
Livability
78
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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