City Comparison
Belgrade vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Belgrade scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Belgrade
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
24% lower than in Belgrade.
Housing costs are a major driver: Belgrade's average rent is
76% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Belgrade | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,000 | $1,138 | +76% |
| Groceries | $450 | $404 | +11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $194 | -7% |
| Transport | $120 | $312 | -62% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $226 | +11% |
| Monthly Total | $3,000 | $2,274 | +32% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Belgrade offers 24% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Belgrade delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Belgrade is estimated at
$60,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Belgrade | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,762 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $97,328 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Belgrade runs warmer on average — a 45.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Belgrade comes out ahead with 266 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Belgrade sees 62.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Belgrade | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 45.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 78.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 15.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 22.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 62.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 266 | |
| Humidity | 60.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Belgrade.
Belgrade 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 | Belgrade | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Belgrade.
From a growth perspective, Belgrade is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Belgrade has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Belgrade | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 13,107 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.40% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 2.70% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Belgrade
Advantages
Median household income has risen to $97,328 per year per US Census Bureau data
Strategic location adjacent to Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport supports strong local employment
Proximity to world-class outdoor recreation including skiing, hiking, and blue-ribbon trout streams
No state sales tax in Montana, reducing the tax burden on everyday retail consumer purchases
Favorable safety profile with crime rates significantly lower than the national urban average
Drawbacks
Average monthly rent of $2,000 creates affordability challenges for median-income workers
Median property values exceeding $530,000 price many first-time homebuyers out of the market
High car dependency with limited public transportation infrastructure across the Gallatin Valley
Harsh winter conditions with significant snowfall averaging over 62 inches annually
Rapid population growth has put strain on local infrastructure and traffic capacity
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.
Belgrade
#48Montana, USA
70.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,000
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
105
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
266/yr
Avg Temp
45.30°F
Pop. Growth
2.40%
Unemployment
2.70%
Livability
76
Business
72
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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