City Comparison
Clayton vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Clayton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Clayton
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
4% lower than in Clayton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Clayton's average rent is
27% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Clayton | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,138 | +27% |
| Groceries | $380 | $404 | -6% |
| Utilities | $175 | $194 | -10% |
| Transport | $130 | $312 | -58% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $226 | +2% |
| Monthly Total | $2,365 | $2,274 | +4% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Clayton offers 24% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Clayton delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Clayton is estimated at
$52,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Clayton | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,833 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $78,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Clayton runs warmer on average — a 55.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Clayton comes out ahead with 248 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Clayton sees 16.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Clayton | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 25.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 47.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 16.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 248 | |
| Humidity | 64.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Clayton.
Clayton 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 | Clayton | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Clayton.
From a growth perspective, Clayton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Clayton has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Clayton | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,125 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.10% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Clayton
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain significantly more affordable than northern Delaware and nearby major metropolitan areas.
Crime rates in Clayton are substantially lower than the national average, providing a notably secure and family-friendly environment.
Favorable Delaware tax structure, including low property taxes and no state sales tax, benefits residents' long-term financial planning.
Strategic location along major regional corridors offers manageable commutes to employment centers in Dover, Wilmington, and Maryland.
Tight-knit community character featuring historic charm, local parks, and active neighborhood engagement.
Drawbacks
High level of car dependency due to limited public transportation options within suburban residential areas.
Limited local dining, nightlife, and entertainment options within town limits, requiring travel to neighboring towns for variety.
Inventory of available rental housing can be tight, as the market is heavily weighted toward single-family homeownership.
Local commercial infrastructure is modest, necessitating regular trips to Smyrna or Dover for major retail shopping.
Regional traffic congestion can build up along key commuter arteries during peak morning and evening rush 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.
Clayton
#59Delaware, USA
70.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
248/yr
Avg Temp
55.70°F
Pop. Growth
2.10%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
76
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
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