City Comparison
Augusta vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Augusta scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Augusta
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Augusta is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Augusta's average rent is
19% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Augusta | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,138 | +19% |
| Groceries | $380 | $404 | -6% |
| Utilities | $175 | $194 | -10% |
| Transport | $110 | $312 | -65% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $226 | -3% |
| Monthly Total | $2,235 | $2,274 | -2% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Augusta offers 9% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Augusta delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Augusta is estimated at
$48,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Augusta | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $60,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,217 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $55,485 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Augusta runs warmer on average — a 65.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Augusta comes out ahead with 260 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Augusta sees 3.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Augusta | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 89.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 38.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 37.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 3.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 260 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Augusta.
Augusta scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Binghamton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Augusta | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Augusta is the larger city
— approximately 4.4x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Augusta has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Augusta | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,559 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Augusta
Advantages
Average monthly rent sits near $1,350, offering high affordability compared to the national average per Zillow data.
Robust employment anchors in healthcare and military technology, including Fort Eisenhower and Augusta University.
Rich recreational lifestyle highlighted by the Augusta Canal National Heritage Area and premier year-round golfing.
Short average commute times of approximately 21 to 24 minutes reduce daily travel strain.
Lower overall cost of living indices that run notably below the U.S. average per federal economic data.
Drawbacks
Poverty rates in certain urban core districts remain higher than national averages per Census figures.
High summer temperatures and humidity levels can make outdoor activities uncomfortable during peak months.
Public transportation options are limited, resulting in high car dependency for daily commuting.
Local educational attainment metrics show lower percentages of bachelor's degrees than national benchmarks.
Property crime rates in specific pockets of the inner city require residents to maintain heightened awareness.
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.
Augusta
#399Georgia, USA
58.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$60,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
260/yr
Avg Temp
65.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
73
Business
68
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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