City Comparison
Denver vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Denver scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Denver
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
21% lower than in Denver.
Housing costs are a major driver: Denver's average rent is
74% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Denver | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,975 | $1,138 | +74% |
| Groceries | $400 | $404 | -1% |
| Utilities | $180 | $194 | -7% |
| Transport | $90 | $312 | -71% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $226 | -3% |
| Monthly Total | $2,865 | $2,274 | +26% |
| Cost Index | 106 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Denver offers 47% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Denver delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Denver is estimated at
$65,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Denver | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $81,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 76,415 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $94,718 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Denver runs warmer on average — a 53.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Denver comes out ahead with 285 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Denver sees 22.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Denver | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 19.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 16.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 22.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 285 | |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Denver.
Denver scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Denver leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Denver | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Denver is the larger city
— approximately 15.8x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Denver is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Denver | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 740,613 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Denver
Advantages
Median household income stands at $94,718, significantly outpacing the national average per U.S. Census data.
Enjoyment of approximately 285 sunny days per year, supporting an active outdoor lifestyle.
Proximity to world-class Rocky Mountain recreation, including premier skiing, hiking, and biking destinations.
Thriving job market with strong sectors in aerospace, technology, and healthcare offering competitive wages.
Vibrant cultural and entertainment ecosystem highlighted by the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre and a thriving craft beverage scene.
Drawbacks
Cost of living runs roughly 6% higher than the national average, led by steep housing and rental expenses.
Median home values of $616,000 present substantial barriers to entry for first-time homebuyers.
Frequent traffic congestion along major commuter corridors like I-25 and I-70 during peak hours.
Air quality can occasionally be impacted by regional wildfire smoke and temperature inversions in the mountain basin.
Property crime rates in certain dense urban neighborhoods require standard metropolitan vigilance.
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.
Denver
#356Colorado, USA
59.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,975
Avg Salary
$81,000
Cost Index
106
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
285/yr
Avg Temp
53.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
82
Business
75
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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