City Comparison
Butte vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Butte scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Butte
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Butte is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
19% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Butte's average rent is
17% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Butte | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,138 | -17% |
| Groceries | $380 | $404 | -6% |
| Utilities | $175 | $194 | -10% |
| Transport | $115 | $312 | -63% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $226 | +2% |
| Monthly Total | $1,850 | $2,274 | -19% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 2% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Butte delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Butte is estimated at
$48,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Butte | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,696 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $56,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Butte runs warmer on average — a 42.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Butte comes out ahead with 270 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Butte sees 56.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Butte | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 42.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 75.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 12.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 15.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 56.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 270 | |
| Humidity | 55.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Butte 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 | Butte | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Butte.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Butte has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Butte | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 34,493 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Butte
Advantages
Median home prices remain significantly lower than the national average per recent housing data.
Exceptional access to world-class outdoor recreation, including skiing, fishing, and hiking.
Rich cultural heritage highlighted by annual events like the Montana Folk Festival.
Strong local economy anchored by education, healthcare, and mining services.
Tight-knit, welcoming community with a distinct historical character.
Drawbacks
Severe winter weather with heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures can challenge daily commutes.
Limited public transportation options necessitate high car dependency.
Local wages often lag behind fast-growing metropolitan areas in the state.
Historic housing stock may require significant maintenance and renovation investments.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options compared to larger cities.
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.
Butte
#348Montana, USA
60.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
270/yr
Avg Temp
42.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
75
Business
66
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Butte and Binghamton.
Open Cost Calculator