City Comparison
Emporia vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Emporia scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Emporia
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Emporia is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
24% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Emporia's average rent is
25% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Emporia | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,138 | -25% |
| Groceries | $380 | $404 | -6% |
| Utilities | $170 | $194 | -12% |
| Transport | $110 | $312 | -65% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $226 | -3% |
| Monthly Total | $1,730 | $2,274 | -24% |
| Cost Index | 86 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 5% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Emporia delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Emporia is estimated at
$42,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Emporia | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,465 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $53,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Emporia runs warmer on average — a 57.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Emporia comes out ahead with 273 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Emporia sees 12.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Emporia | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 22.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 40.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 12.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 273 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Emporia scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Emporia leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Emporia | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Emporia.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Emporia has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Emporia | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,139 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.20% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Emporia
Advantages
Median home prices and rental rates are significantly lower than the national average per US Census data.
Average commute times are exceptionally short, averaging under 15 minutes.
Emporia State University provides vibrant cultural events, collegiate sports, and educational opportunities.
Access to premier outdoor recreation, including proximity to the Flint Hills and world-class disc golf courses.
A strong sense of community with active local civic organizations and neighborhood engagement.
Drawbacks
Limited public transportation infrastructure makes owning a personal vehicle essentially mandatory.
Local career advancement opportunities in specialized tech or corporate sectors can be limited compared to major metros.
Continental climate brings hot summers and occasional severe weather typical of the Great Plains.
Retail and dining options are more limited than in nearby urban centers like Topeka or Kansas City.
State-level tax structures can impact certain small businesses and fixed-income residents.
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.
Emporia
#219Kansas, USA
63.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
86
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
273/yr
Avg Temp
57.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.20%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
75
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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