City Comparison
Riesa vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Riesa scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Riesa
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Riesa is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
30% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Riesa's average rent is
34% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Riesa | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $750 | $1,138 | -34% |
| Groceries | $380 | $404 | -6% |
| Utilities | $220 | $194 | +13% |
| Transport | $85 | $312 | -73% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $226 | -34% |
| Monthly Total | $1,585 | $2,274 | -30% |
| Cost Index | 78 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 24% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Riesa delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Riesa is estimated at
$36,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Riesa | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $42,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $36,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,846 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $41,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Riesa runs warmer on average — a 51°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Riesa comes out ahead with 255 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Riesa sees 6.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Riesa | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 75.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 30.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 20.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 6.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 255 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Riesa.
Riesa scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Riesa leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Riesa | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 60.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 72.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Riesa.
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 | Riesa | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 29,000 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 48.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 6.80% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Riesa
Advantages
Average rental prices are significantly lower than the German national average and major urban hubs like Dresden.
Direct rail connections provide fast, convenient access to Leipzig, Dresden, and Berlin.
Extensive green spaces and direct access to the Elbe River valley offer excellent outdoor recreation opportunities.
Low crime rates and a secure environment make it highly suitable for families and retirees.
Strong local industrial heritage and stable employment opportunities in manufacturing and engineering.
Drawbacks
Lower average salaries compared to major western German economic centers.
Demographic aging presents long-term economic and municipal planning challenges.
Limited local nightlife and entertainment options relative to larger metropolitan cities.
Public transport frequency in outlying residential districts can be sparse during weekends.
Slower economic diversification outside of traditional manufacturing 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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Riesa
#41Saxony, Germany
62.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$750
Avg Salary
$42,000
Cost Index
78
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
60.0/100
Walkability
72.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
51.00°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
6.80%
Livability
75
Business
65
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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