City Comparison
Carmel vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Carmel scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Carmel
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
40% lower than in Carmel.
Housing costs are a major driver: Carmel's average rent is
115% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Carmel | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,450 | $1,138 | +115% |
| Groceries | $400 | $404 | -1% |
| Utilities | $282 | $194 | +45% |
| Transport | $399 | $312 | +28% |
| Healthcare | $290 | $226 | +28% |
| Monthly Total | $3,821 | $2,274 | +68% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Carmel offers 23% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Carmel delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Carmel is estimated at
$63,207 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Carmel | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $67,750 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $63,207 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,573 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $141,505 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Carmel runs warmer on average — a 53.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Carmel comes out ahead with 238 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Carmel sees 19.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Carmel | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 20.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 37.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 19.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 238 | |
| Humidity | % | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Carmel has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
8,000 minutes (133 hours) per year compared to Binghamton.
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 | Carmel | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | — | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | — | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Carmel is the larger city
— approximately 2.3x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Carmel has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Carmel | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,568 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.88% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 40.6 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.00% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Carmel
Advantages
Carmel boasts a high median household income of $141,505 as of 2024, significantly above the national average.
The city has an exceptionally low unemployment rate of 3% as of July 2026.
Carmel is recognized for its high safety, with a safety index of 96 and a total crime rate of 0.88%.
Residents benefit from excellent healthcare options, including multiple hospitals and specialty care centers.
The city offers a high quality of life with award-winning schools, extensive parks, and a vibrant Arts & Design District.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Carmel is slightly higher than the national average, with housing being a primary driver of costs.
There is a noted shortage of entry-level housing options, making it challenging for young professionals and those looking to downsize.
Average rent prices have increased by 3.9% year-over-year as of September 2026.
Home care costs in Carmel are approximately 25-36% higher than both the Indiana state and national averages.
The average salary in Carmel ($67,750) is lower than the national average GDP per capita ($90,027), indicating a potential gap in earning power relative to the country's overall economic output.
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.
Carmel
#15Indiana, USA
74.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,450
Avg Salary
$67,750
Cost Index
96
Commute
min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
238/yr
Avg Temp
53.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.88%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
82
Business
75
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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