City Comparison
Bowling Green vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bowling Green scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bowling Green
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Bowling Green is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Binghamton.
| Metric | Bowling Green | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,138 | +1% |
| Groceries | $380 | $404 | -6% |
| Utilities | $175 | $194 | -10% |
| Transport | $110 | $312 | -65% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $226 | +2% |
| Monthly Total | $2,045 | $2,274 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bowling Green offers 5% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Bowling Green delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Bowling Green is estimated at
$48,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Bowling Green | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,043 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Bowling Green runs warmer on average — a 59.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Bowling Green comes out ahead with 236 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Bowling Green sees 9.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Bowling Green | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 59.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 29.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 60.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 9.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 236 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Bowling Green.
Bowling Green 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 | Bowling Green | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bowling Green is the larger city
— approximately 1.6x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Bowling Green is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Bowling Green has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Bowling Green | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 74,556 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Bowling Green
Advantages
Cost of living is approximately 8% lower than the national average per recent municipal economic data.
Robust job growth anchored by advanced manufacturing, automotive production, and healthcare sectors.
Home to Western Kentucky University, providing continuous cultural events, educational opportunities, and a vibrant local economy.
Abundant recreational amenities including Lost River Cave, local parks, and extensive greenway trails.
Strategic location along Interstate 65 offering easy access to Nashville, Tennessee.
Drawbacks
High summer humidity and annual rainfall averaging over 60 inches can limit outdoor activities during wet periods.
Public transit options are limited, resulting in high car dependency for daily commuting outside the downtown core.
Increasing rental demand driven by university enrollment has put upward pressure on apartment pricing.
Peak-hour traffic congestion around major industrial parks and university corridors during academic semesters.
Limited high-speed rail or commercial air service directly out of Bowling Green regional airport.
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.
Bowling Green
#166Kentucky, USA
64.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
236/yr
Avg Temp
59.50°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
75
Business
71
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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