City Comparison
Otautau vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Otautau scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Otautau
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Otautau is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
23% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Otautau's average rent is
21% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Otautau | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $900 | $1,138 | -21% |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +4% |
| Utilities | $120 | $194 | -38% |
| Transport | $280 | $312 | -10% |
| Healthcare | $40 | $226 | -82% |
| Monthly Total | $1,760 | $2,274 | -23% |
| Cost Index | 70 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 52% 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 Otautau is estimated at
$45,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Otautau | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $26,506 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 37,866 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $55,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Otautau runs warmer on average — a 51.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Otautau comes out ahead with 170 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Otautau sees 11 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Otautau | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 50.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 49.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 62.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 11.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 170 | |
| Humidity | 80.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Binghamton scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Otautau leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Otautau | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 10.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 70.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 10.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Otautau 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 | Otautau | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 800 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.08% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Otautau
Advantages
Lower housing costs compared to New Zealand's major urban centers, with a median weekly rent of $200 NZD in 2023.
Strong sense of community and a peaceful rural lifestyle.
Minimal traffic congestion, contributing to easy local travel.
Access to primary healthcare services through the Otautau Medical Centre.
Rich agricultural economy providing stable local employment in farming, forestry, and milling.
Drawbacks
Limited public transportation options, necessitating car dependency for regional travel.
Absence of a major hospital within the town, requiring travel for specialized medical care.
Higher fuel prices compared to international averages, impacting transportation costs.
Limited entertainment and dining options typical of a small rural town.
Lack of recent specific data for several economic and demographic metrics, making detailed analysis challenging.
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.
Otautau
#3Southland, New Zealand
70.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$900
Avg Salary
$26,506
Cost Index
70
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
10.0/100
Walkability
70.0/100
Sunny Days
170/yr
Avg Temp
51.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
5.08%
Livability
75
Business
60
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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