Performance
Score Breakdown
New Plymouth
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
New Plymouth is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
74% lower compared to Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: New Plymouth's average rent is
49% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | New Plymouth | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $580 | $1,138 | -49% |
| Groceries | $0 | $404 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $194 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $312 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $226 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $580 | $2,274 | -74% |
| Cost Index | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | New Plymouth | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $45,000 |
| Household Income | $39,200 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | New Plymouth | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 83.30% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to New Plymouth.
New Plymouth scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, New Plymouth leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | New Plymouth | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 33.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
New Plymouth is the larger city
— approximately 1.9x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, New Plymouth 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 | New Plymouth | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 90,100 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.41% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.08% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
New Plymouth
Advantages
Recognized for its beauty and liveability, winning awards for being New Zealand's most beautiful small city and most liveable city in its population category.
Offers a balanced lifestyle with a mix of urban amenities and easy access to outdoor recreation, including coastal landscapes and Mount Taranaki.
Strong emphasis on walking and cycling infrastructure, making it a model community for active transport.
Robust economy driven by diverse sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, and the oil and gas industry.
Relatively affordable cost of living compared to other major New Zealand cities.
Drawbacks
Winters are wet and cold, and the city is described as windy and partly cloudy year-round.
While generally safe, like any city, crime can be a concern in certain areas.
The median age is slightly above the national average, suggesting an aging population.
Reliance on specific industries like dairy and oil/gas can make the economy susceptible to commodity price fluctuations.
Public transport options may be less developed compared to larger metropolitan areas.
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.
New Plymouth
#1New Plymouth, New Zealand
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$580
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.41%
Unemployment
5.08%
Livability
74
Business
68
Binghamton
#113New York, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,138
Avg Salary
$55,000
Cost Index
110
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
33.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
68
Business
60
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