City Comparison
Te Awamutu vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Te Awamutu scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Te Awamutu
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Te Awamutu is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
16% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Te Awamutu's average rent is
12% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Te Awamutu | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,000 | $1,138 | -12% |
| Groceries | $450 | $404 | +11% |
| Utilities | $238 | $194 | +23% |
| Transport | $120 | $312 | -62% |
| Healthcare | $100 | $226 | -56% |
| Monthly Total | $1,908 | $2,274 | -16% |
| Cost Index | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Te Awamutu | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $45,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Te Awamutu runs warmer on average — a 57.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Te Awamutu comes out ahead with 229 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Te Awamutu sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Te Awamutu | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 57.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 56.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 59.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 229 | |
| Humidity | % | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Te Awamutu has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
8,000 minutes (133 hours) per year compared to Binghamton.
Te Awamutu scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Te Awamutu leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Te Awamutu | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 70.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Te Awamutu.
From a growth perspective, Te Awamutu 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 | Te Awamutu | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 14,253 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.08% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Te Awamutu
Advantages
Te Awamutu is known as the "Rose Town of New Zealand" and features elaborate rose gardens, a key point of local pride.
The town offers a balance of small-town warmth, scenic beauty, and modern conveniences.
Te Awamutu's town center is compact and highly walkable, with many key places accessible on foot.
The housing market shows long-term stability with a mix of owner-occupiers and a growing rental market.
The town provides access to a range of local healthcare services, including urgent care and various specialists.
Drawbacks
Public transportation in Te Awamutu is somewhat limited, primarily connecting to Hamilton rather than offering extensive local transit.
Te Awamutu does not have a hospital providing a full range of specialist services, requiring residents to travel to Hamilton for more advanced medical needs.
A 2026 report highlighted barriers for residents in accessing specialist care and a need for stronger connections between local health services.
The cost of eating out in Te Awamutu can be similar to or slightly higher than in the USA, Australia, and the UK.
While the town is walkable, getting around surrounding areas is easiest by private car, indicating a degree of car dependency.
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.
Te Awamutu
#11Waikato, New Zealand
67.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,000
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
Commute
min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
70.0/100
Sunny Days
229/yr
Avg Temp
57.90°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
5.08%
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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