City Comparison
Arlington vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Arlington scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Arlington
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
32% lower than in Arlington.
Housing costs are a major driver: Arlington's average rent is
107% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Arlington | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,350 | $1,138 | +107% |
| Groceries | $480 | $404 | +19% |
| Utilities | $175 | $194 | -10% |
| Transport | $130 | $312 | -58% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $226 | +2% |
| Monthly Total | $3,365 | $2,274 | +48% |
| Cost Index | 148 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Arlington offers 73% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Arlington delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Arlington is estimated at
$85,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Arlington | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $95,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $85,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,189 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $137,452 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Arlington runs warmer on average — a 57.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Arlington comes out ahead with 241 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Arlington sees 16.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Arlington | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 26.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 50.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 16.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 241 | |
| Humidity | 64.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Arlington.
Arlington scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Arlington leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Arlington | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 78.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 82.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 62.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Low | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Arlington is the larger city
— approximately 5.1x 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 has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Arlington | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 238,643 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Arlington
Advantages
Median household income exceeds $135,000 per year, placing it among the highest in the nation per US Census data.
Exceptionally high walkability and transit scores along the Metro corridors support a convenient car-lite lifestyle.
Top-tier public safety profile with violent crime rates well below the national average per Virginia State Police.
Major employment expansions, including Amazon HQ2 and prominent defense contractors, drive continuous job market vitality.
Extensive parks, recreation centers, and the Mount Vernon Trail offer abundant outdoor activities.
Drawbacks
Average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment exceeds $2,300 per Zillow and RentCafe data.
Overall cost of living is roughly 50% higher than the national U.S. average.
Highly competitive housing market makes purchasing a single-family home prohibitive for average earners.
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours on regional arteries like I-66 can be severe.
High local demand places continuous upward pressure on commercial and residential property taxes.
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
#276Virginia, USA
61.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,350
Avg Salary
$95,000
Cost Index
148
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
78.0/100
Walkability
82.0/100
Sunny Days
241/yr
Avg Temp
57.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
2.50%
Livability
89
Business
84
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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