City Comparison
Annecy vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Annecy scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Annecy
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in Annecy.
Housing costs are a major driver: Annecy's average rent is
45% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Annecy | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,138 | +45% |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +4% |
| Utilities | $190 | $194 | -2% |
| Transport | $85 | $312 | -73% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $226 | -3% |
| Monthly Total | $2,565 | $2,274 | +13% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 13% 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 Annecy is estimated at
$52,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Annecy | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 44,444 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $46,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Annecy runs warmer on average — a 54.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Annecy comes out ahead with 223 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Annecy sees 19.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Annecy | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 34.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 53.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 19.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 223 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Annecy.
Annecy scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Annecy leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Annecy | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 78.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Annecy is the larger city
— approximately 2.8x 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 | Annecy | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 131,715 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 42.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 6.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Annecy
Advantages
Unmatched access to outdoor recreation, featuring direct proximity to Lake Annecy and the French Alps for skiing, hiking, and watersports.
Proximity to the Swiss border allows many residents to access higher-paying employment opportunities in Geneva.
Extensive cycling infrastructure, including the famous Voie Verte bike path looping along the lake.
High standard of public safety and exceptionally low rates of violent crime across all neighborhoods.
Vibrant cultural scene highlighted by world-class events like the annual Annecy International Animation Film Festival.
Drawbacks
High cost of living and steep real estate prices driven by intense demand and geographic space constraints.
Severe traffic congestion around the lake and major access routes during peak summer tourist seasons.
Competitive rental housing market with limited availability for long-term tenants.
Local salaries can lag behind the high cost of housing unless working in specialized sectors or across the Swiss border.
Winters can be overcast and chilly, though tempered by the surrounding mountain microclimate.
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.
Annecy
#33Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
53.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
78.0/100
Sunny Days
223/yr
Avg Temp
54.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
6.20%
Livability
88
Business
74
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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