City Comparison
Zwickau vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Zwickau scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Zwickau
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Zwickau is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
57% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Zwickau's average rent is
71% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Zwickau | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $335 | $1,138 | -71% |
| Groceries | $308 | $404 | -24% |
| Utilities | $258 | $194 | +33% |
| Transport | $69 | $312 | -78% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $226 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $970 | $2,274 | -57% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 43% 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 Zwickau is estimated at
$17,244 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Zwickau | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $31,536 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $17,244 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 37,101 idx | 50,000 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Zwickau runs warmer on average — a 50.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Zwickau comes out ahead with 247 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Zwickau sees 11.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Zwickau | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 74.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 30.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 26.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 11.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 247 | |
| Humidity | 78.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Zwickau has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
8,000 minutes (133 hours) per year compared to Binghamton.
Zwickau scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Zwickau leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Zwickau | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 65.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 70.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Zwickau is the larger city
— approximately 1.9x 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 | Zwickau | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 87,593 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 35.9 | |
| Unemployment | 6.60% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Zwickau
Advantages
Affordable cost of living compared to other German cities and the European average.
Reliable infrastructure with solid healthcare and public transport.
High degree of safety and a predictable environment.
Strong historical roots in the automotive industry, with ongoing production by Volkswagen.
Compact and walkable city center with abundant parks and green spaces.
Drawbacks
Declining population trends in recent years.
Limited job diversity outside of the dominant automotive and manufacturing sectors.
Relatively small expat community, requiring more effort for international networking.
Increasing criminality in the Zwickau district in 2024 and 2025.
Potential for future job losses in the automotive sector due to planned Volkswagen plant closures from 2031-2034.
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.
Zwickau
#70Saxony, Germany
59.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$335
Avg Salary
$31,536
Cost Index
85
Commute
min
Transit Score
65.0/100
Walkability
70.0/100
Sunny Days
247/yr
Avg Temp
50.10°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
6.60%
Livability
72
Business
60
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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