City Comparison
Salina vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Salina scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Salina
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Salina is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
18% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Salina's average rent is
19% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Salina | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $920 | $1,138 | -19% |
| Groceries | $400 | $404 | -1% |
| Utilities | $180 | $194 | -7% |
| Transport | $120 | $312 | -62% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $226 | +11% |
| Monthly Total | $1,870 | $2,274 | -18% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Salina offers 20% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Salina delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Salina is estimated at
$36,792 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Salina | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,745 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $36,792 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 80,177 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $61,783 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Salina runs warmer on average — a 57.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Salina comes out ahead with 280 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Salina sees 16.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Salina | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 88.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 20.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 26.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 16.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 280 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Salina 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 | Salina | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 39.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Salina has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Salina | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 46,307 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Salina
Advantages
Affordable cost of living, with housing costs significantly below the national average.
Diverse and robust economy with key industries in manufacturing, healthcare, and agriculture.
Shorter than average commute times, with an average of 14.8 minutes.
Strong sense of community and family-friendly atmosphere.
Regional healthcare and educational hub for North Central Kansas.
Drawbacks
Car-dependent with limited public transportation and low walkability scores.
Crime rates, particularly violent crime, are higher than the national average.
Limited entertainment and dining options compared to larger cities.
Population has shown a declining trend in recent years.
Property crime rate remains above the Kansas average.
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.
Salina
#129Kansas, USA
66.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$920
Avg Salary
$65,745
Cost Index
82
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
39.0/100
Sunny Days
280/yr
Avg Temp
57.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.90%
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
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