City Comparison
Appleton vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Appleton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Appleton
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Appleton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in Binghamton.
| Metric | Appleton | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,138 | +1% |
| Groceries | $380 | $404 | -6% |
| Utilities | $175 | $194 | -10% |
| Transport | $110 | $312 | -65% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $226 | -3% |
| Monthly Total | $2,035 | $2,274 | -11% |
| Cost Index | 91 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Appleton offers 13% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Appleton delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Appleton is estimated at
$48,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Appleton | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,132 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $71,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Appleton runs warmer on average — a 46.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Appleton comes out ahead with 263 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Appleton sees 37.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Appleton | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 46.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 12.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 30.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 37.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 263 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Appleton.
Appleton scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Appleton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Appleton | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Appleton is the larger city
— approximately 1.6x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Appleton has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Appleton | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 75,644 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Appleton
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain significantly below the national average per US Census data.
Consistently low crime rates rank Appleton among the safest mid-sized cities in the Midwest.
A thriving downtown district featuring the Fox Cities PAC, local dining, and boutique shopping.
Robust local economy anchored by major healthcare and manufacturing employers ensuring stable employment.
Abundant outdoor recreational access via Riverside Park and the extensive Fox River trail system.
Drawbacks
Winters are long, cold, and bring significant snowfall averaging nearly 38 inches annually.
Public transit options outside of core downtown areas are limited, making car ownership nearly essential.
Limited racial diversity compared to larger national metropolitan areas.
Humid summer months can occasionally bring high discomfort levels.
Fluctuation in seasonal weather can impact outdoor event planning and infrastructure maintenance costs.
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.
Appleton
#51Wisconsin, USA
70.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
91
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
263/yr
Avg Temp
46.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
80
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Appleton and Binghamton.
Open Cost Calculator