City Comparison
West Haven vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
West Haven scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
West Haven
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
17% lower than in West Haven.
Housing costs are a major driver: West Haven's average rent is
54% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | West Haven | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,138 | +54% |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +4% |
| Utilities | $195 | $194 | +1% |
| Transport | $125 | $312 | -60% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $226 | +6% |
| Monthly Total | $2,730 | $2,274 | +20% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
West Haven offers 24% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, West Haven delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in West Haven is estimated at
$58,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | West Haven | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,963 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $72,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
West Haven runs warmer on average — a 52.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, West Haven comes out ahead with 253 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — West Haven sees 21.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | West Haven | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 23.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 44.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 21.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 253 | |
| Humidity | 64.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,500 minutes (108 hours) per year compared to West Haven.
West Haven scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, West Haven leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | West Haven | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 61.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
West Haven is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x 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 | West Haven | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,584 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
West Haven
Advantages
Boasts the longest publicly accessible shoreline in Connecticut, featuring 3.5 miles of beaches and boardwalk.
Convenient commuter access via the West Haven Metro-North train station providing direct service to New York City and New Haven.
Hosts the University of New Haven, bringing vibrant academic energy, diverse demographics, and cultural events to the city.
More attainable home purchase prices and rental rates compared to neighboring coastal towns in Fairfield County.
Home to the major VA Connecticut Healthcare System campus, offering top-tier local medical services and employment.
Drawbacks
Overall property tax rates are relatively high, reflecting municipal budget pressures typical of Connecticut cities.
Certain areas experience heavy commuter traffic congestion along Route 1 and approaches to Interstate 95 during peak hours.
Coastal flood zones require residents in specific neighborhoods to secure mandatory flood insurance.
Aging public school infrastructure requires ongoing capital investment and modernization efforts.
Pockets of the city experience commercial vacancy rates that local economic development initiatives are actively working to revitalize.
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.
West Haven
#461Connecticut, USA
55.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
61.0/100
Sunny Days
253/yr
Avg Temp
52.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
73
Business
67
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between West Haven and Binghamton.
Open Cost Calculator