City Comparison
Texarkana vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Texarkana scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Texarkana
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Texarkana is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
1% lower compared to Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Texarkana's average rent is
21% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Texarkana | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $899 | $1,138 | -21% |
| Groceries | $450 | $404 | +11% |
| Utilities | $290 | $194 | +49% |
| Transport | $400 | $312 | +28% |
| Healthcare | $207 | $226 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,246 | $2,274 | -1% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 20% 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 Texarkana is estimated at
$29,592 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Texarkana | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $43,800 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $29,592 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 49,213 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $45,835 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Texarkana runs warmer on average — a 67.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Texarkana comes out ahead with 266 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Texarkana sees 3.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Texarkana | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 67.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 93.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 38.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 43.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 3.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 266 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Texarkana has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Binghamton.
Binghamton 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 | Texarkana | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 13 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 33.0/10 |
| Walkability | 35.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Texarkana.
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 | Texarkana | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 29,070 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Texarkana
Advantages
The overall cost of living in Texarkana is 11% lower than the national average, making it highly affordable.
Housing costs are significantly lower, with median home prices 31.7% below the national average and rent prices 21.5% lower.
Residents enjoy a remarkably short average commute time of 13 minutes, less than half the national average.
The city has a robust healthcare infrastructure, including two major hospitals and various specialty clinics.
Texarkana offers a blend of small-town charm with access to cultural and recreational amenities.
Drawbacks
Texarkana has a high crime rate, with violent crimes 129% higher than the national average, resulting in a safety grade of 'F'.
The city is experiencing a projected population decline, with an annual growth rate of -0.18% in 2026.
The poverty rate in Texarkana is 25.8%, significantly higher than the national average.
Utilities are about 20% higher than the Arkansas city average, primarily driven by electric rates.
The city has high car dependency due to limited public transit and walkability options.
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.
Texarkana
#152Arkansas, USA
44.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$899
Avg Salary
$43,800
Cost Index
89
Commute
13 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
35.0/10
Sunny Days
266/yr
Avg Temp
67.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
70
Business
60
Binghamton
#165New York, USA
38.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,138
Avg Salary
$55,000
Cost Index
110
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
33.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
68
Business
60
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Texarkana and Binghamton.
Open Cost Calculator