City Comparison
Oakland vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Oakland scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Oakland
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
31% lower than in Oakland.
Housing costs are a major driver: Oakland's average rent is
110% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Oakland | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,395 | $1,138 | +110% |
| Groceries | $400 | $404 | -1% |
| Utilities | $180 | $194 | -7% |
| Transport | $90 | $312 | -71% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $226 | -3% |
| Monthly Total | $3,285 | $2,274 | +44% |
| Cost Index | 116 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Oakland offers 78% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Oakland delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Oakland is estimated at
$75,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Oakland | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $97,910 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $75,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 84,405 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $101,600 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Oakland runs warmer on average — a 58.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Oakland comes out ahead with 311 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Oakland sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Oakland | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 58.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 72.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 43.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 22.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 311 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,500 minutes (125 hours) per year compared to Oakland.
Oakland scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Oakland leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Oakland | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Oakland is the larger city
— approximately 9.4x 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 | Oakland | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 440,838 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Oakland
Advantages
Median household income stands at $101,600 per US Census Bureau data, reflecting strong earning potential.
Abundant cultural amenities and recreational spaces, including the iconic Lake Merritt park system.
Exceptional ethnic and cultural diversity with rich neighborhood communities.
Robust public transit infrastructure including direct BART lines connecting across the Bay Area.
Proximity to major Bay Area employment centers, universities, and natural wilderness areas.
Drawbacks
Cost of living runs roughly 16% above the national average per federal economic data.
Elevated property and violent crime rates in specific commercial and residential zones.
High average rent prices ($2,395 per month via Zillow) strain housing affordability.
Steep state income taxes and local levies add to the financial burden of residents.
Traffic congestion during peak commute hours along major interstate corridors.
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.
Oakland
#568California, USA
47.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,395
Avg Salary
$97,910
Cost Index
116
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
311/yr
Avg Temp
58.70°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.90%
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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