City Comparison
Columbus vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Columbus scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Columbus
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Columbus is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Columbus's average rent is
10% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Columbus | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,138 | +10% |
| Groceries | $380 | $404 | -6% |
| Utilities | $165 | $194 | -15% |
| Transport | $115 | $312 | -63% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $226 | -3% |
| Monthly Total | $2,130 | $2,274 | -6% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Columbus offers 2% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Columbus delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Columbus is estimated at
$48,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Columbus | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $56,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,921 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $54,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Columbus runs warmer on average — a 66.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Columbus comes out ahead with 251 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Columbus sees 1.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Columbus | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 66.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 90.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 39.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 39.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 1.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 251 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Columbus.
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 | Columbus | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 32.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 38.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 41.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Columbus is the larger city
— approximately 4.4x 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 | Columbus | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,922 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.60% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Columbus
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain significantly below the U.S. national average per Census and Zillow data.
Uptown Columbus features the world's longest urban whitewater rafting course and a thriving local dining and arts scene.
Strong local economy anchored by Fortune 500 headquarters (Aflac) and major healthcare systems.
Rich historical heritage and cultural institutions like the Springer Opera House.
Mild winter climate with average lows of 39.4°F allowing for year-round outdoor recreation.
Drawbacks
Higher-than-average property crime rates in select urban core neighborhoods per local law enforcement reports.
High car dependency outside of the newly revitalized Uptown walkable district.
Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with elevated humidity levels.
Public transit options are limited compared to major metropolitan transit hubs.
Average household incomes trail national medians, reflecting regional economic disparities.
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.
Columbus
#422Georgia, USA
57.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$56,000
Cost Index
89
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
32.0/100
Walkability
38.0/100
Sunny Days
251/yr
Avg Temp
66.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.60%
Livability
72
Business
68
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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