City Comparison
Cape Girardeau vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Cape Girardeau scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Cape Girardeau
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cape Girardeau is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
18% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Cape Girardeau's average rent is
13% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Cape Girardeau | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $995 | $1,138 | -13% |
| Groceries | $380 | $404 | -6% |
| Utilities | $175 | $194 | -10% |
| Transport | $110 | $312 | -65% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $226 | -7% |
| Monthly Total | $1,870 | $2,274 | -18% |
| Cost Index | 86 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cape Girardeau offers 3% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Cape Girardeau delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Cape Girardeau is estimated at
$48,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Cape Girardeau | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $56,680 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,907 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $55,658 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Cape Girardeau runs warmer on average — a 59.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Cape Girardeau comes out ahead with 252 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Cape Girardeau sees 11.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Cape Girardeau | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 59.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 86.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 27.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 48.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 11.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 252 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Cape Girardeau.
Cape Girardeau scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Cape Girardeau leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Cape Girardeau | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Cape Girardeau.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Cape Girardeau has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Cape Girardeau | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,818 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.58% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Cape Girardeau
Advantages
Average rent in Cape Girardeau is roughly 50% lower than the national average per Zillow data.
Home to Southeast Missouri State University, providing robust cultural, educational, and arts amenities.
Serves as a major regional healthcare nexus with advanced medical facilities like Saint Francis and SoutheastHEALTH.
Short average commute times of approximately 21 minutes make daily travel efficient.
Scenic riverfront location along the Mississippi River featuring historic parks and a revitalized downtown.
Drawbacks
Local mean wages and median household incomes track below national averages per Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
High level of car dependency with limited municipal public transit coverage.
Poverty rates can skew higher in specific core urban census tracts compared to surrounding county areas.
Susceptible to humid continental weather extremes with hot summers and variable winter conditions.
Limited high-tech and specialized corporate headquarters sector compared to larger state metros.
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.
Cape Girardeau
#308Missouri, USA
61.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$995
Avg Salary
$56,680
Cost Index
86
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
252/yr
Avg Temp
59.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.58%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
75
Business
67
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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