City Comparison
Elizabethtown vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Elizabethtown scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Elizabethtown
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Elizabethtown is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in Binghamton.
| Metric | Elizabethtown | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,138 | +1% |
| Groceries | $380 | $404 | -6% |
| Utilities | $165 | $194 | -15% |
| Transport | $110 | $312 | -65% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $226 | -7% |
| Monthly Total | $2,015 | $2,274 | -11% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 2% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Elizabethtown delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Elizabethtown is estimated at
$46,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Elizabethtown | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $46,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,364 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $61,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Elizabethtown runs warmer on average — a 59.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Elizabethtown comes out ahead with 248 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Elizabethtown sees 7.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Elizabethtown | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 59.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 29.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 59.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 7.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 248 | |
| 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 Elizabethtown.
Elizabethtown 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 | Elizabethtown | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Elizabethtown.
From a growth perspective, Elizabethtown is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Elizabethtown has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Elizabethtown | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,150 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Elizabethtown
Advantages
Lower cost of living compared to the US national average
Proximity to Fort Knox supporting local employment and diverse community dynamics
Growing healthcare sector anchored by the expanded Baptist Health Hardin
Abundant outdoor recreation spaces like Freeman Lake Park and Nature Park
Convenient regional access via Interstate 65 with direct routes to Louisville
Drawbacks
High car dependency with limited public transportation infrastructure
Lower average salary benchmarks compared to major national metropolitan hubs
High annual rainfall totals averaging 59.3 inches per year
Limited nightlife and high-end entertainment options for younger demographics
Housing inventory can experience tightness during peak relocation seasons
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.
Elizabethtown
#127Kentucky, USA
66.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
248/yr
Avg Temp
59.70°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
75
Business
69
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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