City Comparison
Arlington Heights vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Arlington Heights scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Arlington Heights
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 Arlington Heights.
Housing costs are a major driver: Arlington Heights's average rent is
63% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Arlington Heights | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,850 | $1,138 | +63% |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +4% |
| Utilities | $175 | $194 | -10% |
| Transport | $130 | $312 | -58% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $226 | +6% |
| Monthly Total | $2,815 | $2,274 | +24% |
| Cost Index | 112 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Arlington Heights offers 42% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Arlington Heights delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Arlington Heights is estimated at
$62,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Arlington Heights | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,643 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $105,845 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Arlington Heights runs warmer on average — a 50.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Arlington Heights comes out ahead with 255 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Arlington Heights sees 27 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Arlington Heights | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 17.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 33.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 27.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 255 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,500 minutes (125 hours) per year compared to Arlington Heights.
Arlington Heights scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Arlington Heights leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Arlington Heights | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Arlington Heights 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, Arlington Heights has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Arlington Heights | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 75,101 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Arlington Heights
Advantages
Direct Metra train service to downtown Chicago provides an efficient commute for working professionals.
Consistently top-ranked public school districts draw many families to the area.
A vibrant, walkable downtown district featuring diverse dining, shopping, and the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre.
Exceptional public safety record with crime rates well below the national average.
An extensive local park district operating numerous neighborhood parks, pools, and community programs.
Drawbacks
Property taxes in Illinois and Arlington Heights are notably higher than the national average.
Housing inventory can be tight and competitive, driving up purchasing costs for single-family homes.
Winters are cold and snowy, requiring regular snow removal and winter preparedness.
Car dependency is moderate to high outside of the immediate downtown district.
Traffic congestion can be heavy during peak rush hours along major regional arteries like Route 14 and I-90.
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.
Arlington Heights
#158Illinois, USA
64.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,850
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
112
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
50.60°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
86
Business
75
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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