City Comparison
Sacramento vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Sacramento scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Sacramento
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
20% lower than in Sacramento.
Housing costs are a major driver: Sacramento's average rent is
71% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Sacramento | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,946 | $1,138 | +71% |
| Groceries | $400 | $404 | -1% |
| Utilities | $180 | $194 | -7% |
| Transport | $90 | $312 | -71% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $226 | +2% |
| Monthly Total | $2,846 | $2,274 | +25% |
| Cost Index | 112 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Sacramento offers 40% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Sacramento delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Sacramento is estimated at
$65,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Sacramento | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $77,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,750 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $91,387 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Sacramento | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 55.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to Sacramento.
Sacramento 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 | Sacramento | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 47.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 47.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Sacramento is the larger city
— approximately 11.5x 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 | Sacramento | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 536,449 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.53% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 36.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.00% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $135.5B | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Sacramento
Advantages
Median home prices and rental rates remain significantly more affordable than coastal California hubs like San Francisco and San Jose.
Thriving farm-to-fork culinary scene with nationally acclaimed local restaurants and frequent community farmers' markets.
Extensive outdoor recreation access via the 32-mile American River Parkway and close proximity to Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada.
Stable, recession-resilient job market anchored by California state government administration and major healthcare systems.
Abundant sunshine and a Mediterranean climate averaging over 260 sunny days per year.
Drawbacks
Summer temperatures frequently exceed 95°F to 100°F, creating high cooling demands and seasonal heat advisories.
Property crime rates and urban homelessness present ongoing challenges in select downtown and inner-city commercial corridors.
Public transit infrastructure is limited outside of central urban grids, making outer neighborhoods heavily car-dependent.
State income tax rates align with California's top-tier state brackets, impacting high-earning households.
Vulnerability to seasonal wildfire smoke from surrounding foothills during dry summer and autumn months.
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.
Sacramento
#542California, USA
49.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,946
Avg Salary
$77,000
Cost Index
112
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
47.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.53%
Unemployment
5.00%
Livability
76
Business
72
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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