City Comparison
Dearborn Heights vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Dearborn Heights scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Dearborn Heights
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Dearborn Heights | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,138 | +19% |
| Groceries | $390 | $404 | -3% |
| Utilities | $175 | $194 | -10% |
| Transport | $125 | $312 | -60% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $226 | +6% |
| Monthly Total | $2,280 | $2,274 | 0% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dearborn Heights offers 16% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Dearborn Heights delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Dearborn Heights is estimated at
$52,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Dearborn Heights | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,817 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $65,400 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Dearborn Heights runs warmer on average — a 50.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Dearborn Heights comes out ahead with 246 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Dearborn Heights sees 30.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Dearborn Heights | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 83.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 17.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 33.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 30.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 246 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Dearborn Heights.
Dearborn Heights 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 | Dearborn Heights | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dearborn Heights is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Dearborn Heights | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,833 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Dearborn Heights
Advantages
Median home prices and rental rates remain more affordable compared to neighboring northern and western Detroit suburbs per Zillow data (2024).
Central geographic location in Metro Detroit provides short driving commutes to major employment hubs in Dearborn, Detroit, and Southfield per BLS data (2024).
Extensive access to green spaces and recreation, including direct proximity to Hines Park along the Rouge River.
Strong community safety profile with violent crime rates significantly lower than nearby urban centers per FBI crime data (2024).
Diverse culinary scene and rich cultural amenities reflecting the broader Metro Detroit multicultural population.
Drawbacks
Wayne County property tax rates can represent a higher ongoing annual expense for homeowners relative to neighboring counties.
High level of automobile dependency with limited public transit options for non-drivers per SMART transit data (2024).
Aging mid-century housing stock may require frequent maintenance or energy-efficiency updates for modern buyers.
Heavy traffic congestion during peak commuting hours along major commercial arteries like Ford Road and Telegraph Road.
Limited large-scale entertainment and nightlife options within the immediate city limits, requiring travel to Detroit or Dearborn.
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.
Dearborn Heights
#345Michigan, USA
60.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
93
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
246/yr
Avg Temp
50.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
73
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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