City Comparison
Petersburg vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Petersburg scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Petersburg
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
21% higher compared to Petersburg.
| Metric | Petersburg | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,174 | $1,138 | +3% |
| Groceries | $320 | $404 | -21% |
| Utilities | $336 | $194 | +73% |
| Transport | $640 | $312 | +105% |
| Healthcare | $290 | $226 | +28% |
| Monthly Total | $2,760 | $2,274 | +21% |
| Cost Index | 80 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Petersburg offers 18% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Petersburg delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Petersburg is estimated at
$33,300 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Petersburg | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $33,300 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 81,250 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $50,698 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Petersburg runs warmer on average — a 59.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Petersburg comes out ahead with 250 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Petersburg sees 15.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Petersburg | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 59.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 86.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 30.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 46.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 15.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 250 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Petersburg.
Petersburg scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Binghamton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Petersburg | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/10 | 33.0/10 |
| Walkability | 30.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Petersburg.
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 | Petersburg | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,892 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.47% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.00% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Petersburg
Advantages
Petersburg offers a significantly affordable cost of living, with a cost of living index of 80.2 in 2025, making it more affordable than the national average.
Housing expenses in Petersburg are approximately 45% lower than the national average, presenting a strong advantage for residents.
The city benefits from a strategic location at the intersection of major interstates I-85 and I-95, providing excellent regional connectivity.
Petersburg is developing an Advanced Manufacturing Pharmaceutical cluster, indicating growth in specific business sectors.
Petersburg Area Transit (PAT) currently offers fare-free bus service, enhancing accessibility for residents.
Drawbacks
Petersburg has high crime rates, ranking as the 8th most dangerous city in Virginia with violent crime rates 120.1% higher than the national average in 2025.
The city faces persistent financial instability, with a Medium article in March 2025 highlighting renewed challenges and a risk of municipal bankruptcy.
The median household income of $50,698 in 2024 is considerably lower than both the state and national averages.
Limited job opportunities outside specific sectors and a high poverty rate (21.7% in 2024) pose economic challenges for residents.
Schools in Petersburg are noted to be in need of improvement, impacting educational quality.
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.
Petersburg
#127Virginia, USA
50.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,174
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
80
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
30.0/10
Sunny Days
250/yr
Avg Temp
59.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.47%
Unemployment
5.00%
Livability
50
Business
60
Binghamton
#165New York, USA
38.0 / 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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Petersburg and Binghamton.
Open Cost Calculator