City Comparison
Villa de Merlo vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Villa de Merlo scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Villa de Merlo
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Villa de Merlo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
59% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Villa de Merlo's average rent is
60% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Villa de Merlo | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $450 | $1,138 | -60% |
| Groceries | $250 | $404 | -38% |
| Utilities | $75 | $194 | -61% |
| Transport | $60 | $312 | -81% |
| Healthcare | $100 | $226 | -56% |
| Monthly Total | $935 | $2,274 | -59% |
| Cost Index | 52 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 99% 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 Villa de Merlo is estimated at
$650 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Villa de Merlo | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $750 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $650 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 1,442 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $9,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Villa de Merlo runs warmer on average — a 63.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Villa de Merlo comes out ahead with 271 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Villa de Merlo sees 1.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Villa de Merlo | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 59.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 67.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 24.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 1.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 271 | |
| Humidity | 55.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Villa de Merlo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Villa de Merlo leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Villa de Merlo | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Villa de Merlo.
From a growth perspective, Villa de Merlo 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 | Villa de Merlo | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,000 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 41.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Villa de Merlo
Advantages
Renowned microclimate featuring exceptionally clean mountain air and over 270 days of sunshine annually.
Significantly lower crime rates and higher perceived safety compared to major Argentine metropolitan areas.
Abundant outdoor recreation opportunities including hiking, paragliding, and mountain viewpoints.
Strong community of remote workers, artists, and retirees fostering an inclusive, active social fabric.
Favorable municipal and provincial policies supporting local sustainable tourism and ecological preservation.
Drawbacks
Seasonal economic fluctuations driven by tourism can cause variability in local service sector employment.
Long-term rental housing can be scarce and competitive due to the popularity of short-term vacation rentals.
Reliance on automobiles is high due to the sprawling nature of foothill neighborhoods and limited public transit.
Specialized medical procedures require travel to larger regional cities like San Luis or Río Cuarto.
Higher cost of living and real estate prices compared to smaller, non-tourist rural towns in San Luis province.
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.
Villa de Merlo
#3San Luis, Argentina
79.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$450
Avg Salary
$750
Cost Index
52
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
271/yr
Avg Temp
63.60°F
Pop. Growth
2.50%
Unemployment
5.50%
Livability
82
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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