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Dodge City vs Binghamton

Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.

Kansas, USA
View Dodge City profile
#181 in USA
64
Overall Score
VS
New York, USA
View Binghamton profile
#603 in USA
38
Overall Score
Dodge City scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Dodge City
Binghamton
Livability
73
68
Affordability
82
75
Business
67
60
Growth
69
58

Cost of Living

Dodge City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about 24% lower than in Binghamton. Housing costs are a major driver: Dodge City's average rent is 25% lower than Binghamton's.
MetricDodge CityBinghamtonDiff
Average Rent
$850$1,138-25%
Groceries
$380$404-6%
Utilities
$175$194-10%
Transport
$110$312-65%
Healthcare
$220$226-3%
Monthly Total
$1,735$2,274-24%
Cost Index
88110out of 100

Salary & Income

Binghamton offers 2% lower average salaries. However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Dodge City delivers stronger purchasing power — meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day. The minimum comfortable salary in Dodge City is estimated at $45,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
MetricDodge CityBinghamton
Average Salary
$54,000$55,000
Salary Needed
$45,000$45,000
Purchasing Power
61,364 idx50,000 idx
Household Income
$61,200$45,578

Climate Comparison

Dodge City runs warmer on average — a 57.2°F difference year-round. For sunshine, Dodge City comes out ahead with 283 more sunny days per year, which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle. Winter severity differs too — Dodge City sees 14.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
MetricDodge CityBinghamton
Avg Temp
57.20°F°F
Summer High
86.00°F°F
Winter Low
23.20°F°F
Rainfall
27.80 in in
Snowfall
14.80 in in
Sunny Days
283
Humidity
60.00%70.00%

Commute & Transport

Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other. Dodge City 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.
MetricDodge CityBinghamton
Commute Time
15 min16 min
Transit Score
35.0/10033.0/100
Walkability
45.0/10055.0/100
Traffic Index
30.0030.00
Car Dependency
HighMedium

Economy & Demographics

Binghamton is the larger city — approximately 0.6x the population of Dodge City. From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services. On the employment side, Dodge City has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
MetricDodge CityBinghamton
Population
27,34046,773
Pop. Growth
0.50%0.90%
Median Age
33.535.9
Unemployment
3.20%4.30%
GDP
—$13.0B

Pros & Cons

Dodge City
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living are significantly lower than the US national average.
Robust agricultural, manufacturing, and energy sectors provide a stable and resilient local job market.
Short average commute times allow residents to spend less time in traffic and more time on personal pursuits.
Rich cultural heritage, community festivals, and diverse dining options enhance everyday life.
Friendly, family-oriented neighborhoods offer a welcoming and tight-knit community atmosphere.
Drawbacks
Geographic isolation from major metropolitan centers limits access to large-scale urban amenities.
Local climate features windy conditions and occasional severe weather typical of the Great Plains.
Limited public transportation options necessitate car ownership for daily commuting and errands.
Hot summers and cold winters require higher seasonal utility management.
Specialized high-tech or corporate career opportunities are more limited compared to larger cities.
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.

Dive Deeper

Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.

Dodge City
#181
Kansas, USA
64.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
283/yr
Avg Temp
57.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
73
Business
67
View Full Profile
Binghamton
#603
New 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
View Full Profile

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