City Comparison
Waterbury vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Waterbury scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Waterbury
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Waterbury.
Housing costs are a major driver: Waterbury's average rent is
27% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Waterbury | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,138 | +27% |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +4% |
| Utilities | $175 | $194 | -10% |
| Transport | $115 | $312 | -63% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $226 | +2% |
| Monthly Total | $2,390 | $2,274 | +5% |
| Cost Index | 94 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Waterbury offers 6% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Waterbury delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Waterbury is estimated at
$52,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Waterbury | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,500 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,234 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $53,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Waterbury runs warmer on average — a 50.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Waterbury comes out ahead with 247 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Waterbury sees 24.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Waterbury | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 20.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 44.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 24.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 247 | |
| Humidity | 66.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to Waterbury.
Waterbury 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 | Waterbury | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Waterbury is the larger city
— approximately 2.4x the population of Binghamton.
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 | Waterbury | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,000 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Waterbury
Advantages
Median home purchase prices are significantly lower than the Connecticut state average per Zillow data.
Anchored by two major medical centers providing robust local healthcare access per American Hospital Directory.
Convenient highway access via Interstate 84 and Route 8 facilitating regional commutes.
Rich cultural amenities including the historic Palace Theater and diverse local dining options.
Abundant local green spaces such as Fulton Park offering outdoor recreation opportunities.
Drawbacks
Certain neighborhoods experience higher property and violent crime rates than national averages per FBI crime data.
Public transit walkability is limited outside of the immediate downtown core per Walk Score metrics.
Local school district ratings trail behind suburban Connecticut districts per state education reports.
State and local tax burdens remain a consistent challenge for property owners in Connecticut.
Economic mobility and median household incomes lag behind wealthier coastal municipalities.
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.
Waterbury
#507Connecticut, USA
52.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$58,500
Cost Index
94
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
247/yr
Avg Temp
50.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
69
Business
64
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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