City Comparison
Carlin vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Carlin scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Carlin
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Carlin is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
17% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Carlin's average rent is
17% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Carlin | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,138 | -17% |
| Groceries | $380 | $404 | -6% |
| Utilities | $175 | $194 | -10% |
| Transport | $150 | $312 | -52% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $226 | +2% |
| Monthly Total | $1,885 | $2,274 | -17% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Carlin offers 24% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Carlin delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Carlin is estimated at
$48,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Carlin | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 73,118 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $64,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Carlin runs warmer on average — a 53.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Carlin comes out ahead with 316 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Carlin sees 24 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Carlin | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 27.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 9.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 24.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 316 | |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Binghamton 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 | Carlin | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 25.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 20.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
.
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 | Carlin | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Carlin
Advantages
Housing affordability is significantly better than the national average and major Nevada urban centers per US Census data.
Extremely low crime rates provide a secure and peaceful environment for families and retirees.
Proximity to major gold mining operations offers strong, stable employment opportunities in the industrial sector.
Abundant access to pristine public lands and outdoor recreation areas like the Humboldt River and national forests.
Tight-knit, welcoming community atmosphere with a rich historic railroad and mining heritage.
Drawbacks
Limited local shopping, dining, and entertainment options require regular travel to neighboring Elko.
Harsh winter conditions bring freezing temperatures and notable snowfall requiring winter preparedness.
Limited public transportation makes a personal vehicle mandatory for daily life and commuting.
Narrow economic base heavily reliant on the mining industry makes the local market sensitive to commodity price fluctuations.
Fewer local white-collar or remote professional networking opportunities within city limits.
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.
Carlin
#192Nevada, USA
64.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
93
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
25.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
316/yr
Avg Temp
53.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
72
Business
62
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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