City Comparison
Pine Bluff vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Pine Bluff scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Pine Bluff
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Pine Bluff is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
32% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Pine Bluff's average rent is
36% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Pine Bluff | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $728 | $1,138 | -36% |
| Groceries | $340 | $404 | -16% |
| Utilities | $165 | $194 | -15% |
| Transport | $110 | $312 | -65% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $226 | -7% |
| Monthly Total | $1,553 | $2,274 | -32% |
| Cost Index | 78 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 19% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Pine Bluff delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Pine Bluff is estimated at
$38,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Pine Bluff | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $44,500 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $38,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,051 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $42,718 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Pine Bluff runs warmer on average — a 65.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Pine Bluff comes out ahead with 259 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Pine Bluff sees 8.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Pine Bluff | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 91.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 36.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 48.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 8.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 259 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Pine Bluff.
Binghamton 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 | Pine Bluff | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 26.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Pine Bluff.
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 | Pine Bluff | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 38,213 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 7.00% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Pine Bluff
Advantages
Median home values and average rents are roughly 60% lower than the national average per Zillow and U.S. Census data.
Cost of living index is significantly below the U.S. baseline, providing high purchasing power for essentials.
Abundant outdoor recreational access including the Delta Rivers Nature Center and Arkansas River proximity.
Short average commute times with minimal traffic congestion compared to larger metropolitan areas.
Presence of higher education institutions like the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff enriching community culture.
Drawbacks
Crime rates, particularly property and violent crime indices, trend higher than the national average.
Economic growth and job diversification have faced historical stagnation relative to northwest Arkansas.
Low walkability and limited public transit options require high car dependency for daily tasks.
Higher-than-average poverty rates present ongoing socioeconomic challenges for local development.
Limited high-end entertainment and upscale dining options within city limits.
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.
Pine Bluff
#556Arkansas, USA
47.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$728
Avg Salary
$44,500
Cost Index
78
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
26.0/100
Sunny Days
259/yr
Avg Temp
65.90°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
7.00%
Livability
59
Business
52
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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