City Comparison
Bowie vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bowie scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bowie
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
31% lower than in Bowie.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bowie's average rent is
108% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Bowie | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,370 | $1,138 | +108% |
| Groceries | $400 | $404 | -1% |
| Utilities | $180 | $194 | -7% |
| Transport | $120 | $312 | -62% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $226 | +2% |
| Monthly Total | $3,300 | $2,274 | +45% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bowie offers 51% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Bowie delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Bowie is estimated at
$65,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Bowie | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $83,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,339 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $141,995 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Bowie runs warmer on average — a 56.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Bowie comes out ahead with 241 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Bowie sees 16.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Bowie | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 25.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 50.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 16.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 241 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
8,000 minutes (133 hours) per year compared to Bowie.
Bowie 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 | Bowie | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bowie is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Bowie has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Bowie | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,383 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.45% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 44.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Bowie
Advantages
Median household income in Bowie is exceptionally high at $141,995, significantly surpassing both state and national averages per the U.S. Census Bureau.
Bowie features a low poverty rate of just 3.8%, reflecting strong economic stability across local households.
The city's educational attainment is high, with over 95% of residents holding a high school diploma and a large share possessing bachelor's degrees or higher.
Extensive municipal park systems and recreational facilities provide ample green space and outdoor activities for residents.
Strategic mid-Atlantic location offers seamless commuting access to Washington, D.C., Annapolis, and Baltimore.
Drawbacks
Cost of living and typical housing expenses are notably higher than the national average, creating affordability hurdles for first-time buyers.
High car dependency results in heavy reliance on major regional highways, which experience regular commuter congestion.
Public transit options within city limits are somewhat limited compared to denser urban centers closer to Washington, D.C.
Property tax rates in Prince George's County can place a heavy recurring financial burden on homeowners.
Modest population growth rate paired with limited new multi-family housing inventory constricts rental availability.
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.
Bowie
#352Maryland, USA
59.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,370
Avg Salary
$83,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
241/yr
Avg Temp
56.60°F
Pop. Growth
0.45%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
79
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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