City Comparison
Santa Rosa vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Santa Rosa scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Santa Rosa
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Santa Rosa is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
56% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Santa Rosa's average rent is
57% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Santa Rosa | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $490 | $1,138 | -57% |
| Groceries | $186 | $404 | -54% |
| Utilities | $120 | $194 | -38% |
| Transport | $100 | $312 | -68% |
| Healthcare | $100 | $226 | -56% |
| Monthly Total | $996 | $2,274 | -56% |
| Cost Index | 35 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 85% 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 Santa Rosa is estimated at
$20,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Santa Rosa | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $8,448 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $20,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 24,137 idx | 50,000 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Santa Rosa runs warmer on average — a 62.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Santa Rosa comes out ahead with 293 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Santa Rosa sees 0.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Santa Rosa | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 62.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 59.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 65.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 30.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 293 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Santa Rosa.
Santa Rosa scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Santa Rosa leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Santa Rosa | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 50.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Santa Rosa is the larger city
— approximately 2.6x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Santa Rosa 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 | Santa Rosa | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 123,259 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.99% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 6.70% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Santa Rosa
Advantages
Santa Rosa is generally considered a safe city with low insecurity.
The city offers a relaxed pace of life and a welcoming atmosphere.
The cost of living in Santa Rosa is relatively affordable compared to many global cities.
There is good access to green spaces and recreational areas, including Laguna Don Tomás.
The city has an efficient bus system and is pedestrian-friendly in its center.
Drawbacks
Specific median household income data for Santa Rosa, La Pampa, from 2024 or later is not readily available.
While public transport exists, the city's sprawl can limit walkability for longer distances.
The job market, while stable in some sectors, has seen an increase in the unemployment rate in recent quarters.
Tourism is an underdeveloped activity in La Pampa Province.
Some specific cost breakdowns for daily expenses are difficult to find with recent, reliable data.
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.
Santa Rosa
#81La Pampa, Argentina
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$490
Avg Salary
$8,448
Cost Index
35
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
50.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
293/yr
Avg Temp
62.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.99%
Unemployment
6.70%
Livability
70
Business
60
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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