City Comparison
Riverside vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Riverside scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Riverside
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
30% lower than in Riverside.
Housing costs are a major driver: Riverside's average rent is
99% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Riverside | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,269 | $1,138 | +99% |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +4% |
| Utilities | $190 | $194 | -2% |
| Transport | $130 | $312 | -58% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $226 | +6% |
| Monthly Total | $3,249 | $2,274 | +43% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Riverside offers 24% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Riverside delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Riverside is estimated at
$58,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Riverside | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,627 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $91,045 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Riverside | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 52.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,500 minutes (125 hours) per year compared to Riverside.
Riverside 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 | Riverside | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 62.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Riverside is the larger city
— approximately 6.9x the population of Binghamton.
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 | Riverside | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 323,057 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.61% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Riverside
Advantages
Median home prices and rents remain significantly more affordable in Riverside compared to coastal Southern California markets like Los Angeles and Orange County.
The city features prominent cultural landmarks and attractions, including the historic Mission Inn and the nationally renowned Festival of Lights.
Proximity to higher education powerhouses like UC Riverside drives local innovation, arts, and a young, dynamic demographic baseline.
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities are easily accessible, highlighted by Mount Rubidoux Park and regional wilderness reserves.
A strategic geographic location with robust freeway and rail connectivity links residents directly to major Southern California job centers.
Drawbacks
Regional air quality and summer ozone levels can be challenged by inland valley geography and heavy regional commuter traffic.
A considerable percentage of the local workforce commutes outside the city or county for employment, leading to heavy peak-hour freeway congestion.
Local summer temperatures frequently climb well above comfortable thresholds, driving up residential cooling and utility costs.
Overall cost of living indices remain higher than the national U.S. average, posing budget challenges for lower-income households.
Property crime rates in specific commercial corridors and transit-adjacent pockets require ongoing community and municipal intervention.
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.
Riverside
#463California, USA
54.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,269
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.61%
Unemployment
5.10%
Livability
75
Business
70
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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