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Prairie Village vs Binghamton

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

Kansas, USA
View Prairie Village profile
#242 in USA
63
Overall Score
VS
New York, USA
View Binghamton profile
#603 in USA
38
Overall Score
Prairie Village scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Prairie Village
Binghamton
Livability
85
68
Affordability
70
75
Business
72
60
Growth
74
58

Cost of Living

Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about 18% lower than in Prairie Village. Housing costs are a major driver: Prairie Village's average rent is 58% higher than Binghamton's.
MetricPrairie VillageBinghamtonDiff
Average Rent
$1,800$1,138+58%
Groceries
$420$404+4%
Utilities
$180$194-7%
Transport
$130$312-58%
Healthcare
$230$226+2%
Monthly Total
$2,760$2,274+21%
Cost Index
125110out of 100

Salary & Income

Prairie Village offers 42% higher average salaries. However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Prairie Village delivers stronger purchasing power — meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day. The minimum comfortable salary in Prairie Village is estimated at $65,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
MetricPrairie VillageBinghamton
Average Salary
$78,000$55,000
Salary Needed
$65,000$45,000
Purchasing Power
62,400 idx50,000 idx
Household Income
$113,530$45,578

Climate Comparison

Prairie Village runs warmer on average — a 56.9°F difference year-round. For sunshine, Prairie Village comes out ahead with 266 more sunny days per year, which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle. Winter severity differs too — Prairie Village sees 18 more inches of snowfall annually.
MetricPrairie VillageBinghamton
Avg Temp
56.90°F°F
Summer High
86.10°F°F
Winter Low
22.20°F°F
Rainfall
42.60 in in
Snowfall
18.00 in in
Sunny Days
266
Humidity
65.00%70.00%

Commute & Transport

Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly 2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Prairie Village. Prairie Village scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living. For walkability, Prairie Village leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
MetricPrairie VillageBinghamton
Commute Time
20 min16 min
Transit Score
35.0/10033.0/100
Walkability
58.0/10055.0/100
Traffic Index
42.0030.00
Car Dependency
HighMedium

Economy & Demographics

Binghamton is the larger city — approximately 0.5x the population of Prairie Village. From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services. On the employment side, Prairie Village has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
MetricPrairie VillageBinghamton
Population
22,90046,773
Pop. Growth
0.14%0.90%
Median Age
42.035.9
Unemployment
2.90%4.30%
GDP
—$13.0B

Pros & Cons

Prairie Village
Advantages
Median household income stands at $113,530, reflecting a prosperous and economically stable local population per U.S. Census Bureau data.
Crime rates are roughly 50% lower than the Kansas state average, providing an exceptionally secure residential environment per AreaVibes.
Over 72% of adult residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, creating an educated and intellectually engaged community per ACS data.
High homeownership rate of 77% with strong property value appreciation trends across established neighborhoods per Zillow and Census reports.
Proximity to premier shopping hubs like the Prairie Village Shops and Corinth Square offering vibrant local dining and retail options.
Drawbacks
Cost of living is approximately 25-30% higher than the national average, driven largely by elevated housing and property costs.
Heavy reliance on private automobiles with limited public transit options within the immediate municipal boundaries.
Competitive real estate market with rising home values that can create barriers to entry for first-time home buyers.
Modest inventory of multi-family rental housing within city limits, resulting in higher average monthly rent prices.
High property tax burdens associated with owning premium real estate in Johnson County.
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.

Prairie Village
#242
Kansas, USA
62.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
125
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
266/yr
Avg Temp
56.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.14%
Unemployment
2.90%
Livability
85
Business
72
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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