City Comparison
Buffalo vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Buffalo scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Buffalo
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Buffalo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Binghamton.
| Metric | Buffalo | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,046 | $1,138 | -8% |
| Groceries | $450 | $404 | +11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $194 | -7% |
| Transport | $120 | $312 | -62% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $226 | +11% |
| Monthly Total | $2,046 | $2,274 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Buffalo offers 36% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Buffalo delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Buffalo is estimated at
$40,764 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Buffalo | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $75,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $40,764 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 78,947 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $50,041 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Buffalo runs warmer on average — a 49.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Buffalo comes out ahead with 224 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Buffalo sees 43.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Buffalo | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 49.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 78.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 20.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 40.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 43.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 224 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Buffalo.
Buffalo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Buffalo leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Buffalo | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Buffalo is the larger city
— approximately 5.9x the population of Binghamton.
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 | Buffalo | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 274,006 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.70% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $109.5B | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Buffalo
Advantages
The cost of living in Buffalo is lower than the national average, particularly for housing and utilities. [19]
Buffalo has a shorter average commute time (19.9 minutes) compared to the national average. [3]
The city is experiencing significant investment and redevelopment in various neighborhoods, including downtown. [11, 24]
Buffalo has a diverse and growing economy with strong sectors in healthcare and education. [3, 24]
The city offers a rich cultural scene with numerous museums, performing arts venues, and annual festivals. [11]
Drawbacks
Buffalo's unemployment rate in July 2026 was 5.70%, higher than the national average. [31]
The poverty rate in Buffalo is 26%, which is higher than the national average. [3]
Despite downtown growth, a lack of amenities like grocery stores and infrequent weekend public transit can be a drawback. [18]
Job losses were observed in some sectors like manufacturing and financial activities in Western New York in August 2026. [22]
Buffalo Public Schools score below the New York state average in mathematics and English Language Arts proficiency. [23]
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.
Buffalo
#342New York, USA
60.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,046
Avg Salary
$75,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
224/yr
Avg Temp
49.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.70%
Livability
74
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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