City Comparison
Rudolstadt vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Rudolstadt scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Rudolstadt
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Rudolstadt is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
27% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Rudolstadt's average rent is
34% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Rudolstadt | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $750 | $1,138 | -34% |
| Groceries | $380 | $404 | -6% |
| Utilities | $220 | $194 | +13% |
| Transport | $100 | $312 | -68% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $226 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $1,650 | $2,274 | -27% |
| Cost Index | 78 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 20% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Rudolstadt delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Rudolstadt is estimated at
$36,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Rudolstadt | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $44,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $36,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 56,410 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $41,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Rudolstadt runs warmer on average — a 51.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Rudolstadt comes out ahead with 255 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Rudolstadt sees 8.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Rudolstadt | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 76.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 31.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 23.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 8.70 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 Rudolstadt.
Rudolstadt scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Rudolstadt leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Rudolstadt | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 72.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Rudolstadt.
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 | Rudolstadt | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 22,400 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 47.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 6.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Rudolstadt
Advantages
Significantly lower housing and rental costs compared to western German metropolitan areas per Destatis data.
High safety profile with very low crime rates making it ideal for families per Thuringian police crime statistics.
Rich cultural scene highlighted by the annual Rudolstadt-Festival and the historic Heidecksburg Castle.
Abundant natural surroundings offering extensive hiking, cycling, and outdoor recreation in the Thuringian Slate Mountains.
Strong sense of community and active local civic engagement across various clubs and organizations.
Drawbacks
Lower average salary levels compared to major economic hubs like Frankfurt or Munich per Federal Employment Agency data.
Limited high-tech corporate headquarters presence locally, leading some residents to commute to Jena or Erfurt.
Public transport frequency in surrounding rural districts can be limited outside of peak commuting hours.
Aging demographic profile presents long-term challenges for municipal labor force replacement.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options geared toward younger demographics compared to larger university cities.
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.
Rudolstadt
#21Thuringia, Germany
65.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$750
Avg Salary
$44,000
Cost Index
78
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
72.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
51.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
6.20%
Livability
78
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Rudolstadt and Binghamton.
Open Cost Calculator