City Comparison
Southampton vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Southampton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Southampton
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in Southampton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Southampton's average rent is
41% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Southampton | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,600 | $1,138 | +41% |
| Groceries | $400 | $404 | -1% |
| Utilities | $240 | $194 | +24% |
| Transport | $90 | $312 | -71% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $226 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,330 | $2,274 | +2% |
| Cost Index | 91 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 18% 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 Southampton is estimated at
$38,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Southampton | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $38,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 49,451 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $45,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Southampton runs warmer on average — a 53.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Southampton comes out ahead with 238 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Southampton sees 2.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Southampton | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 74.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 38.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 32.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 2.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 238 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,000 minutes (117 hours) per year compared to Southampton.
Southampton scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Southampton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Southampton | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Southampton is the larger city
— approximately 5.6x 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 | Southampton | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 260,184 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.65% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Southampton
Advantages
Average monthly private rent in Southampton remains significantly lower than London and nearby Brighton averages.
Direct rail connections link Southampton to London Waterloo in approximately 80 minutes.
Proximity to the New Forest National Park provides immediate access to extensive outdoor recreation and nature trails.
The local economy benefits from strong employment drivers including major cruise lines and advanced marine engineering.
PwC's Good Growth for Cities report ranks the Southampton travel-to-work area favorably for overall economic health and jobs.
Drawbacks
Private rental prices have seen consistent upward pressure, rising over 3% annually according to ONS data.
Local house price-to-earnings ratios can challenge first-time buyers attempting to enter the property market.
Certain central urban wards experience higher rates of property crime and antisocial behavior than outer suburbs.
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours frequently affects major arterial routes leading toward the M27 and port docks.
Economic inactivity and claimant counts remain a persistent challenge in specific localized neighborhoods within the unitary authority.
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.
Southampton
#18England, UK
60.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,600
Avg Salary
$45,000
Cost Index
91
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
238/yr
Avg Temp
53.60°F
Pop. Growth
0.65%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
75
Business
70
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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