City Comparison
Oberhausen vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Oberhausen scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Oberhausen
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Oberhausen is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
42% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Oberhausen's average rent is
43% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Oberhausen | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $650 | $1,138 | -43% |
| Groceries | $400 | $404 | -1% |
| Utilities | $180 | $194 | -7% |
| Transport | $90 | $312 | -71% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $226 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,320 | $2,274 | -42% |
| Cost Index | 61 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 94% 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 Oberhausen is estimated at
$2,400 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Oberhausen | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $3,500 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $2,400 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 5,738 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $45,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Oberhausen runs warmer on average — a 53.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Oberhausen comes out ahead with 235 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Oberhausen sees 8.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Oberhausen | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 75.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 35.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 30.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 8.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 235 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to Oberhausen.
Oberhausen scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Oberhausen leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Oberhausen | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 65.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Oberhausen is the larger city
— approximately 4.6x 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 | Oberhausen | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 213,178 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.14% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 44.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 6.00% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Oberhausen
Advantages
Rental prices are significantly lower than major German cities like Munich or Frankfurt, averaging around $620 for a 1-bedroom central apartment per Rewire Abroad 2026 data.
The city features extensive green spaces and recreational landmarks, including the famous Gasometer Oberhausen and the Centr.O leisure complex.
Strategic location within the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region provides exceptional rail and autobahn connectivity to neighboring economic hubs like Düsseldorf and Essen.
Comprehensive public healthcare infrastructure is accessible through well-equipped local clinics and a dense network of medical professionals.
Low overall crime index and high community safety standards make it a secure environment for families and retirees.
Drawbacks
The local labor market continues to navigate post-industrial economic restructuring challenges, resulting in unemployment rates higher than the national German average per Destatis 2024-2025 reports.
Heavy reliance on regional manufacturing and retail means economic growth can be vulnerable to broader macroeconomic downturns in Europe.
Certain quarters experience urban renewal pressures and require ongoing municipal investments to combat localized structural deprivation.
Atmospheric and industrial heritage legacies require continuous environmental monitoring, though air quality has improved significantly.
Limited presence of high-tech venture capital startups compared to dedicated German tech capitals like Berlin or Munich.
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.
Oberhausen
#5North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
71.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$650
Avg Salary
$3,500
Cost Index
61
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
65.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
235/yr
Avg Temp
53.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.14%
Unemployment
6.00%
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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