City Comparison
Rouen vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Rouen scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Rouen
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Rouen is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
36% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Rouen's average rent is
45% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Rouen | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $630 | $1,138 | -45% |
| Groceries | $497 | $404 | +23% |
| Utilities | $200 | $194 | +3% |
| Transport | $48 | $312 | -85% |
| Healthcare | $75 | $226 | -67% |
| Monthly Total | $1,450 | $2,274 | -36% |
| Cost Index | 83 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 48% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Binghamton delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Rouen is estimated at
$21,372 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Rouen | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $28,400 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $21,372 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 34,217 idx | 50,000 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Rouen runs warmer on average — a 53.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Rouen comes out ahead with 240 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Rouen sees 4.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Rouen | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 75.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 36.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 34.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 4.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 240 | |
| Humidity | % | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Rouen.
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 | Rouen | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | — | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | — | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 37.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Rouen is the larger city
— approximately 2.6x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Rouen 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 | Rouen | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,553 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.09% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 35.9 | |
| Unemployment | 7.54% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Rouen
Advantages
Rouen boasts a rich historical and architectural heritage, including the famous Cathédrale Notre-Dame.
The city offers a comprehensive public transport network, with free services on Saturdays.
The cost of living in Rouen is generally lower than the national average in France.
Rouen has a vibrant cultural scene with numerous dining options and entertainment.
Property prices for both apartments and houses have shown consistent growth over the past five years.
Drawbacks
The median salary in Rouen is lower than the national average for France.
Specific safety scores for 2026 are not available, with crime indices showing a mixed situation.
Traffic congestion can be a concern, with an average level of 37.1% in 2025.
While public transport is good, specific walkability and transit scores for 2026 are not readily available.
Reliable, up-to-date data for some specific metrics like median age and detailed job growth rates for Rouen are limited.
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.
Rouen
#13Normandie, France
58.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$630
Avg Salary
$28,400
Cost Index
83
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
240/yr
Avg Temp
53.80°F
Pop. Growth
1.09%
Unemployment
7.54%
Livability
74
Business
68
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Rouen and Binghamton.
Open Cost Calculator