City Comparison
Cicero vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Cicero scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Cicero
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Cicero.
Housing costs are a major driver: Cicero's average rent is
27% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Cicero | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,138 | +27% |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +4% |
| Utilities | $175 | $194 | -10% |
| Transport | $110 | $312 | -65% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $226 | +2% |
| Monthly Total | $2,385 | $2,274 | +5% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 2% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Cicero delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Cicero is estimated at
$50,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Cicero | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,696 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Cicero runs warmer on average — a 51.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Cicero comes out ahead with 252 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Cicero sees 28.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Cicero | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 17.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 36.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 28.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 252 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
8,000 minutes (133 hours) per year compared to Cicero.
Cicero scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Cicero leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Cicero | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 68.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 74.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cicero is the larger city
— approximately 1.8x the population of Binghamton.
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 | Cicero | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 83,890 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Cicero
Advantages
Median home prices remain significantly more affordable than neighboring Chicago and northern Cook County suburbs.
Exceptional public transit access via the CTA Pink Line and multiple Pace bus routes providing direct rides to downtown Chicago.
Vibrant cultural community featuring authentic dining, local markets, and traditional neighborhood festivals.
Strategic geographic location near major logistics hubs, I-55, and Midway Airport supporting strong employment access.
Active community policing and municipal programs dedicated to neighborhood improvement and youth engagement.
Drawbacks
Cook County property taxes and state tax rates create a notable financial burden for homeowners and businesses.
Crime rates in certain sectors remain higher than the national suburban average, requiring standard urban safety vigilance.
Limited green space and park acreage per capita compared to outer ring suburbs.
Aged housing stock in many multi-family buildings can necessitate frequent maintenance and renovation costs.
Traffic congestion along major commercial corridors like Cermak Road during peak commuting hours.
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.
Cicero
#449Illinois, USA
55.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
68.0/100
Walkability
74.0/100
Sunny Days
252/yr
Avg Temp
51.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
72
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Cicero and Binghamton.
Open Cost Calculator