City Comparison
Elsmere vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Elsmere scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Elsmere
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Elsmere.
Housing costs are a major driver: Elsmere's average rent is
27% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Elsmere | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,138 | +27% |
| Groceries | $380 | $404 | -6% |
| Utilities | $175 | $194 | -10% |
| Transport | $115 | $312 | -63% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $226 | +2% |
| Monthly Total | $2,350 | $2,274 | +3% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Elsmere offers 22% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Elsmere delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Elsmere is estimated at
$52,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Elsmere | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $67,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,367 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $65,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Elsmere runs warmer on average — a 55.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Elsmere comes out ahead with 255 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Elsmere sees 13.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Elsmere | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 83.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 25.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 40.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 13.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 255 | |
| Humidity | 64.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Elsmere.
Elsmere scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Elsmere leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Elsmere | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 46.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Elsmere.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Elsmere has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Elsmere | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,150 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Elsmere
Advantages
Delaware's lack of state sales tax significantly reduces everyday retail and dining expenses per state tax guidelines.
Conveniently located just minutes from downtown Wilmington with easy access to major employers and cultural sites.
A strong community-focused suburban feel with active local parks and neighborhood events.
Proximity to world-class healthcare facilities like ChristianaCare systems in New Castle County.
Median home prices and rental rates remain competitive compared to nearby Philadelphia and northern suburbs.
Drawbacks
Traffic congestion can be heavy along primary commercial corridors like Kirkwood Highway during peak commuting hours.
Housing inventory can be limited, leading to competitive conditions for prospective buyers.
Property taxes in New Castle County can add to the overall cost of homeownership.
Limited public rail transit directly within town borders, making car ownership nearly essential.
Older housing stock may require regular maintenance and energy-efficiency updates.
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.
Elsmere
#379Delaware, USA
59.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$67,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
55.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.20%
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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