City Comparison
Wellington vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Wellington scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Wellington
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
19% lower than in Wellington.
Housing costs are a major driver: Wellington's average rent is
58% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Wellington | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $1,138 | +58% |
| Groceries | $450 | $404 | +11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $194 | -7% |
| Transport | $120 | $312 | -62% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $226 | +11% |
| Monthly Total | $2,800 | $2,274 | +23% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Wellington offers 18% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Wellington delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Wellington is estimated at
$55,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Wellington | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,421 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $62,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Wellington runs warmer on average — a 57.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Wellington comes out ahead with 232 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Wellington sees 0.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Wellington | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 54.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 57.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 41.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 232 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Wellington.
Wellington scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Wellington leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Wellington | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Wellington is the larger city
— approximately 4.5x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Wellington is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Wellington has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Wellington | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 210,800 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Wellington
Advantages
Wellington is recognized as one of the world's most livable cities, often ranking highly in global livability indices.
The city boasts a strong and diverse economy, with a focus on knowledge-intensive industries and a growing tech sector.
Wellington offers excellent walkability and a robust public transportation network, reducing reliance on private vehicles.
The city has a vibrant cultural scene, with numerous museums, galleries, theaters, and a renowned culinary landscape.
Wellington's natural beauty, with its harbor and surrounding hills, provides ample opportunities for outdoor recreation and a high quality of life.
Drawbacks
Wellington is known for its strong winds, earning it the nickname 'Windy Wellington'.
The cost of living, particularly housing and rent, can be high due to geographical constraints and demand.
While public transport is good, car lanes and traffic congestion can still be an issue in certain areas.
The public sector, a major employer, has experienced job losses in 2024, potentially impacting the job market.
New Zealand's economy, including Wellington's, has faced challenges such as inflation and interest rate hikes.
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.
Wellington
#41Wellington, New Zealand
61.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
232/yr
Avg Temp
57.10°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
4.10%
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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