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Russellville vs Binghamton

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

Arkansas, USA
View Russellville profile
#250 in USA
62
Overall Score
VS
New York, USA
View Binghamton profile
#603 in USA
38
Overall Score
Russellville scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Russellville
Binghamton
Livability
73
68
Affordability
82
75
Business
67
60
Growth
69
58

Cost of Living

Russellville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about 27% lower than in Binghamton. Housing costs are a major driver: Russellville's average rent is 30% lower than Binghamton's.
MetricRussellvilleBinghamtonDiff
Average Rent
$800$1,138-30%
Groceries
$380$404-6%
Utilities
$165$194-15%
Transport
$110$312-65%
Healthcare
$210$226-7%
Monthly Total
$1,665$2,274-27%
Cost Index
82110out of 100

Salary & Income

Binghamton offers 13% lower average salaries. However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Russellville delivers stronger purchasing power — meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day. The minimum comfortable salary in Russellville is estimated at $42,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
MetricRussellvilleBinghamton
Average Salary
$47,991$55,000
Salary Needed
$42,000$45,000
Purchasing Power
58,526 idx50,000 idx
Household Income
$50,877$45,578

Climate Comparison

Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
MetricRussellvilleBinghamton
Avg Temp
°F°F
Summer High
°F°F
Winter Low
°F°F
Rainfall
in in
Snowfall
in in
Sunny Days
Humidity
68.00%70.00%

Commute & Transport

Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other. Russellville 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.
MetricRussellvilleBinghamton
Commute Time
18 min16 min
Transit Score
40.0/10033.0/100
Walkability
52.0/10055.0/100
Traffic Index
35.0030.00
Car Dependency
HighMedium

Economy & Demographics

Binghamton is the larger city — approximately 0.6x the population of Russellville. From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services. On the employment side, Russellville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
MetricRussellvilleBinghamton
Population
29,52146,773
Pop. Growth
0.32%0.90%
Median Age
30.635.9
Unemployment
4.10%4.30%
GDP
—$13.0B

Pros & Cons

Russellville
Advantages
Average rent and overall cost of living are roughly 60% lower than the national average per Zillow and federal data.
Abundant outdoor recreation access, sitting directly adjacent to Lake Dardanelle and the Arkansas River.
Strong institutional anchor and cultural vitality provided by Arkansas Tech University.
Stable industrial and energy employment base anchored by major operations like Arkansas Nuclear One and Tyson Foods.
Short average commute times and easy access via Interstate 40.
Drawbacks
Poverty rate sits higher than the national average, standing at approximately 20.8% per U.S. Census Bureau data.
High car dependency with limited public transportation infrastructure for non-drivers.
Median household income trails both state and national averages.
Vulnerability to severe weather events typical of the Arkansas River Valley region.
Limited high-end entertainment and luxury retail options within city limits.
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.

Russellville
#250
Arkansas, USA
62.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$800
Avg Salary
$47,991
Cost Index
82
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.32%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
73
Business
67
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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