City Comparison
Charlottesville vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Charlottesville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Charlottesville
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 Charlottesville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Charlottesville's average rent is
54% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Charlottesville | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,138 | +54% |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +4% |
| Utilities | $175 | $194 | -10% |
| Transport | $110 | $312 | -65% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $226 | +6% |
| Monthly Total | $2,695 | $2,274 | +19% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Charlottesville offers 24% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Charlottesville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Charlottesville is estimated at
$58,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Charlottesville | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,762 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $78,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Charlottesville runs warmer on average — a 57.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Charlottesville comes out ahead with 264 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Charlottesville sees 18.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Charlottesville | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 26.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 33.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 18.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 264 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Charlottesville.
Charlottesville scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Charlottesville leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Charlottesville | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Charlottesville is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Charlottesville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Charlottesville | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,214 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Charlottesville
Advantages
UVA Health and the University of Virginia provide world-class employment, education, and healthcare access
Exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities with immediate proximity to the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah National Park
Vibrant culinary and arts scene anchored by the pedestrian-friendly historic Downtown Mall
Strong local economy with robust job stability and a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem
Highly educated and culturally engaged community with a rich historical heritage
Drawbacks
Housing and rental costs are significantly higher than the national average and surrounding rural counties
Peak-hour traffic congestion along major corridors like Route 29 can be frustrating for commuters
Competitive rental market driven by the annual influx of University of Virginia students
Limited public transit options for commuting from outlying suburban or rural areas
Property taxes and local cost of living indices trend higher than the broader state average
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.
Charlottesville
#256Virginia, USA
62.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
105
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
264/yr
Avg Temp
57.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
77
Business
70
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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