City Comparison
Cambridge vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Cambridge scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Cambridge
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
46% lower than in Cambridge.
Housing costs are a major driver: Cambridge's average rent is
172% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Cambridge | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $3,100 | $1,138 | +172% |
| Groceries | $520 | $404 | +29% |
| Utilities | $210 | $194 | +8% |
| Transport | $100 | $312 | -68% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $226 | +24% |
| Monthly Total | $4,210 | $2,274 | +85% |
| Cost Index | 165 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cambridge offers 67% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Cambridge delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Cambridge is estimated at
$85,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Cambridge | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $92,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $85,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 55,758 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $118,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Cambridge runs warmer on average — a 51°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Cambridge comes out ahead with 250 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Cambridge sees 25 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Cambridge | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 20.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 40.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 25.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 250 | |
| Humidity | 64.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Cambridge.
Cambridge scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Cambridge leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Cambridge | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 85.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 91.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Low | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cambridge is the larger city
— approximately 2.5x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Cambridge has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Cambridge | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,258 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Cambridge
Advantages
World-class public transit and pedestrian infrastructure with a Walk Score over 90 per Redfin 2025 data
Global epicenter for biotechnology and life sciences careers centered around Kendall Square per BLS 2025 reports
Home to two top-tier global universities (Harvard and MIT) driving an intellectually vibrant cultural scene
Exceptionally low violent crime rate relative to national urban averages per FBI crime data 2025
Extensive green spaces, including miles of accessible waterfront along the Charles River Esplanade
Drawbacks
Extremely high cost of living, with average rents exceeding 3,000 USD per Zillow 2025 market reports
Severe housing shortage and hyper-competitive real estate market driving up purchase prices
Heavy traffic congestion and limited street parking for vehicle owners
State and local tax burdens that trend higher than the national average
Significant seasonal population fluctuations driven by the academic calendar
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.
Cambridge
#424Massachusetts, USA
57.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$3,100
Avg Salary
$92,000
Cost Index
165
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
85.0/100
Walkability
91.0/100
Sunny Days
250/yr
Avg Temp
51.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
88
Business
92
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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