City Comparison
St. Louis Park vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
St. Louis Park scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
St. Louis Park
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in St. Louis Park.
Housing costs are a major driver: St. Louis Park's average rent is
45% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | St. Louis Park | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,138 | +45% |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +4% |
| Utilities | $175 | $194 | -10% |
| Transport | $110 | $312 | -65% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $226 | -3% |
| Monthly Total | $2,575 | $2,274 | +13% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
St. Louis Park offers 35% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, St. Louis Park delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in St. Louis Park is estimated at
$58,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | St. Louis Park | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $74,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,519 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $88,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
St. Louis Park runs warmer on average — a 46.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, St. Louis Park comes out ahead with 258 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — St. Louis Park sees 31 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | St. Louis Park | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 46.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 7.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 41.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 31.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 258 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to St. Louis Park.
St. Louis Park scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, St. Louis Park leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | St. Louis Park | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
St. Louis Park is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, St. Louis Park has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | St. Louis Park | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 50,138 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
St. Louis Park
Advantages
Exceptional proximity to downtown Minneapolis, offering a rapid commute via major transit and highway corridors.
Home to Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital, providing world-class healthcare access directly within city limits.
Over 50 meticulously maintained parks and extensive regional bike trail connections like the Cedar Lake Trail.
Thriving commercial and entertainment hubs like the Shops at West End with diverse dining and retail options.
Consistently high-performing public school district that continually draws families to the area.
Drawbacks
Housing costs and property taxes are noticeably higher than the national U.S. average.
Cold, harsh winter weather featuring significant snowfall accumulation typical of the Upper Midwest.
Increasing traffic congestion along major commuter arteries like Highway 100 and I-394 during peak hours.
Competitive real estate market with limited suburban housing inventory driving up purchase prices.
Property crime rates, particularly catalytic converter thefts and vehicle break-ins, align with urban-suburban metro patterns.
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.
St. Louis Park
#225Minnesota, USA
63.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$74,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
258/yr
Avg Temp
46.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
82
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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