City Comparison
Castle Rock vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Castle Rock scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Castle Rock
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
16% lower than in Castle Rock.
Housing costs are a major driver: Castle Rock's average rent is
56% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Castle Rock | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,772 | $1,138 | +56% |
| Groceries | $400 | $404 | -1% |
| Utilities | $180 | $194 | -7% |
| Transport | $120 | $312 | -62% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $226 | +2% |
| Monthly Total | $2,702 | $2,274 | +19% |
| Cost Index | 115 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Castle Rock offers 55% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Castle Rock delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Castle Rock is estimated at
$66,996 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Castle Rock | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $85,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $66,996 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 73,913 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $145,197 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Castle Rock runs warmer on average — a 50°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Castle Rock comes out ahead with 279 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Castle Rock sees 31.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Castle Rock | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 83.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 17.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 20.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 31.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 279 | |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,500 minutes (108 hours) per year compared to Castle Rock.
Binghamton scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Castle Rock leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Castle Rock | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 11.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 64.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Castle Rock is the larger city
— approximately 1.8x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Castle Rock is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Castle Rock has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Castle Rock | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 83,815 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.72% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.70% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Castle Rock
Advantages
Ranked as one of the safest cities and suburbs in Colorado with low violent and property crime rates per FBI and SafeWise data.
Exceptional median household income of $145,197, outperforming state and national benchmarks significantly.
Robust outdoor amenity network featuring over 20 parks, 80 miles of trails, and the iconic Rock Park.
Top-rated healthcare infrastructure anchored by AdventHealth Castle Rock, a designated Level III trauma center with an 'A' safety grade.
Thriving local business environment and downtown district offering high-end dining, shopping, and community festivals.
Drawbacks
Cost of living and housing expenses run significantly higher than the national average, impacting affordability.
High car dependency with limited public mass transit options, leading to heavy reliance on I-25 for commuting.
Rapid population growth has intensified traffic congestion along key local arteries and the main interstate corridors.
Average rent and home purchase prices place a heavy financial burden on lower-income service workers and young adults.
Strict water conservation and growth management policies can face friction as the municipality approaches buildout caps.
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.
Castle Rock
#55Colorado, USA
70.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,772
Avg Salary
$85,000
Cost Index
115
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
11.0/100
Walkability
64.0/100
Sunny Days
279/yr
Avg Temp
50.00°F
Pop. Growth
2.72%
Unemployment
3.70%
Livability
85
Business
76
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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