City Comparison
Virginia vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Virginia scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Virginia
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Virginia is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
63% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Virginia's average rent is
69% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Virginia | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $350 | $1,138 | -69% |
| Groceries | $200 | $404 | -50% |
| Utilities | $90 | $194 | -54% |
| Transport | $80 | $312 | -74% |
| Healthcare | $120 | $226 | -47% |
| Monthly Total | $840 | $2,274 | -63% |
| Cost Index | 45 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 83% 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 Virginia is estimated at
$8,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Virginia | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $9,500 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $8,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 21,111 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $8,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Virginia runs warmer on average — a 63.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Virginia comes out ahead with 276 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Virginia sees 0.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Virginia | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 63.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 66.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 62.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 26.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 276 | |
| Humidity | 58.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Virginia.
Binghamton scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Virginia | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 55.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Virginia.
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 | Virginia | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 42,000 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.30% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 32.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 32.39% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Virginia
Advantages
Significantly lower housing costs and property prices compared to South African major metropolitan areas
Close-knit community atmosphere with active local neighborhood watch and civic organizations
Strategic location within the Free State goldfields and agricultural heartland
Low traffic congestion and straightforward daily commuting within the town
Rich industrial heritage and proximity to broader regional amenities in Welkom
Drawbacks
High national and regional unemployment rates impacting local economic mobility
Limited local job market diversification outside of traditional mining and agriculture
Reliance on neighboring towns for specialized healthcare and higher education facilities
Infrastructure and municipal service delivery challenges common to smaller regional municipalities
Property crime and security concerns requiring private mitigation measures
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.
Virginia
#51Free State, South Africa
50.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$350
Avg Salary
$9,500
Cost Index
45
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
276/yr
Avg Temp
63.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.30%
Unemployment
32.39%
Livability
52
Business
45
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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