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Ocotlán vs Binghamton

Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.

Jalisco, Mexico
View Ocotlán profile
#34 in Mexico
78
Overall Score
VS
New York, USA
View Binghamton profile
#603 in USA
38
Overall Score
Ocotlán scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Ocotlán
Binghamton
Livability
72
68
Affordability
82
75
Business
68
60
Growth
69
58

Cost of Living

Ocotlán is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about 61% lower than in Binghamton. Housing costs are a major driver: Ocotlán's average rent is 60% lower than Binghamton's.
MetricOcotlánBinghamtonDiff
Average Rent
$450$1,138-60%
Groceries
$250$404-38%
Utilities
$65$194-66%
Transport
$50$312-84%
Healthcare
$80$226-65%
Monthly Total
$895$2,274-61%
Cost Index
42110out of 100

Salary & Income

Binghamton offers 85% 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 Ocotlán is estimated at $7,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
MetricOcotlánBinghamton
Average Salary
$8,500$55,000
Salary Needed
$7,000$45,000
Purchasing Power
20,238 idx50,000 idx
Household Income
$11,500$45,578

Climate Comparison

Ocotlán runs warmer on average — a 68.8°F difference year-round. For sunshine, Ocotlán comes out ahead with 259 more sunny days per year, which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle. Winter severity differs too — Ocotlán sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
MetricOcotlánBinghamton
Avg Temp
68.80°F°F
Summer High
79.40°F°F
Winter Low
51.10°F°F
Rainfall
34.10 in in
Snowfall
0.00 in in
Sunny Days
259
Humidity
65.00%70.00%

Commute & Transport

Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly 3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Ocotlán. Ocotlán scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living. For walkability, Ocotlán leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
MetricOcotlánBinghamton
Commute Time
22 min16 min
Transit Score
50.0/10033.0/100
Walkability
62.0/10055.0/100
Traffic Index
45.0030.00
Car Dependency
MediumMedium

Economy & Demographics

Ocotlán is the larger city — approximately 2.3x the population of Binghamton. From a growth perspective, Ocotlán is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services. On the employment side, Ocotlán has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
MetricOcotlánBinghamton
Population
106,00046,773
Pop. Growth
1.10%0.90%
Median Age
29.035.9
Unemployment
3.20%4.30%
GDP
—$13.0B

Pros & Cons

Ocotlán
Advantages
Affordable cost of living and housing compared to nearby Guadalajara and major Mexican cities.
Strategic economic hub renowned for furniture manufacturing and robust local commerce.
Scenic lakeside location near Lake Chapala offering pleasant natural surroundings and outdoor recreation.
Rich cultural heritage featuring traditional festivals, local markets, and authentic cuisine.
Strong sense of community with a family-friendly atmosphere throughout local neighborhoods.
Drawbacks
Traffic congestion during peak hours along major commercial corridors and entry highways.
Limited availability of specialized high-tech healthcare services locally, requiring travel to Guadalajara.
Infrastructure in certain older residential neighborhoods requires ongoing municipal updates.
Vulnerability to seasonal weather fluctuations affecting local agricultural and transit conditions.
Competitive job market outside of traditional manufacturing and retail sectors.
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.

Dive Deeper

Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.

Ocotlán
#34
Jalisco, Mexico
78.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$450
Avg Salary
$8,500
Cost Index
42
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
50.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
259/yr
Avg Temp
68.80°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
72
Business
68
View Full Profile
Binghamton
#603
New 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
View Full Profile

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