City Comparison
Covington vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Covington scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Covington
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Covington is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Covington's average rent is
10% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Covington | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,138 | +10% |
| Groceries | $380 | $404 | -6% |
| Utilities | $170 | $194 | -12% |
| Transport | $110 | $312 | -65% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $226 | +2% |
| Monthly Total | $2,140 | $2,274 | -6% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Covington offers 11% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Covington delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Covington is estimated at
$48,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Covington | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,304 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Covington runs warmer on average — a 55.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Covington comes out ahead with 236 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Covington sees 23.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Covington | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 23.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 47.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 23.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 236 | |
| 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 Covington.
Covington scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Covington leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Covington | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 64.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Covington.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Covington has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Covington | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,939 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Covington
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain significantly lower than the national average and neighboring Cincinnati.
Exceptional historic architecture and walkable urban neighborhoods like MainStrasse Village and Licking Riverside.
Proximity to Devou Park, offering 700 acres of green space, trails, and panoramic skyline views.
Direct pedestrian and transit access to downtown Cincinnati via the historic Roebling Suspension Bridge.
Thriving local culinary scene featuring independent restaurants, craft breweries, and boutique retailers.
Drawbacks
Property maintenance costs can be high due to the aging stock of historic Victorian and antebellum homes.
Property tax rates in Kenton County can be higher relative to some surrounding suburban jurisdictions.
Crime rates vary significantly by neighborhood, with certain areas requiring increased vigilance.
Winter weather brings freezing temperatures and occasional heavy snowfall requiring active municipal snow removal.
Public transit options, while adequate, are primarily bus-based and less extensive than major metropolitan rail networks.
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.
Covington
#372Kentucky, USA
59.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$61,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
64.0/100
Sunny Days
236/yr
Avg Temp
55.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
75
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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