City Comparison
Blacksburg vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Blacksburg scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Blacksburg
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
21% lower than in Blacksburg.
Housing costs are a major driver: Blacksburg's average rent is
64% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Blacksburg | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,870 | $1,138 | +64% |
| Groceries | $450 | $404 | +11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $194 | -7% |
| Transport | $120 | $312 | -62% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $226 | +11% |
| Monthly Total | $2,870 | $2,274 | +26% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Blacksburg offers 11% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Blacksburg delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Blacksburg is estimated at
$66,480 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Blacksburg | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,022 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $66,480 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,267 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $50,182 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Blacksburg runs warmer on average — a 54.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Blacksburg comes out ahead with 241 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Blacksburg sees 16.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Blacksburg | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 24.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 37.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 16.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 241 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Blacksburg 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 | Blacksburg | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 50.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 43.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Binghamton has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Blacksburg | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,446 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.25% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 21.9 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $2.8B | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Blacksburg
Advantages
Blacksburg boasts a very short average commute time of 14.8 minutes, significantly less than the national average.
The town is highly bike-friendly, with a Bike Score of 65, ranking it as the second most bikeable city in Virginia.
A strong job market in education, research, and technology, driven by Virginia Tech, saw a 1.93% job growth rate in 2024.
The presence of Virginia Tech fosters a youthful demographic and a vibrant cultural and intellectual environment.
Access to extensive outdoor recreational opportunities in the Appalachian Mountains, including numerous trails.
Drawbacks
The median household income of $50,182 in 2024 is considerably lower than the state average for Virginia.
The homeownership rate of 35.8% in 2024 is significantly below the national average, indicating a competitive and potentially expensive rental market.
The overall Walk Score of 43 suggests that most errands require a car, limiting pedestrian convenience in many areas.
The unemployment rate of 5.2% in 2026 is slightly higher than the national average.
The cost of living index, while moderate, can be challenging for residents given the lower median household income.
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.
Blacksburg
#485Virginia, USA
53.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,870
Avg Salary
$61,022
Cost Index
98
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
50.0/100
Walkability
43.0/100
Sunny Days
241/yr
Avg Temp
54.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.25%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
78
Business
70
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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