City Comparison
Elgin vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Elgin scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Elgin
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
13% lower than in Elgin.
Housing costs are a major driver: Elgin's average rent is
45% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Elgin | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,138 | +45% |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +4% |
| Utilities | $170 | $194 | -12% |
| Transport | $130 | $312 | -58% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $226 | +6% |
| Monthly Total | $2,610 | $2,274 | +15% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Elgin offers 31% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Elgin delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Elgin is estimated at
$58,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Elgin | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 75,000 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $84,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Elgin runs warmer on average — a 50.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Elgin comes out ahead with 257 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Elgin sees 27 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Elgin | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 16.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 32.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 27.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 257 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,500 minutes (125 hours) per year compared to Elgin.
Elgin 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 | Elgin | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Elgin is the larger city
— approximately 2.4x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Elgin | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,500 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Elgin
Advantages
Median home prices and rental rates remain noticeably more affordable than Chicago proper per Zillow 2025 data.
Direct commuter rail service via the Metra Union Pacific West line connects residents straight to downtown Chicago.
Extensive outdoor recreation opportunities including the scenic Fox River Trail and over 50 municipal parks.
A culturally diverse population supporting a vibrant culinary scene and regular community festivals.
A growing economy anchored by robust healthcare, manufacturing, and education sectors per Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Drawbacks
Illinois property taxes are among the highest in the nation, impacting overall homeowner costs per tax assessors.
Winters are cold and demanding, with the city receiving around 27 inches of annual snowfall per climate records.
Moderate walkability and transit scores outside the immediate downtown core require heavy car dependency.
Traffic congestion during peak hours along the Interstate 90 corridor can lengthen daily commutes.
Pockets of the city experience higher local crime indices, requiring careful neighborhood selection.
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.
Elgin
#242Illinois, USA
62.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
257/yr
Avg Temp
50.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
74
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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