City Comparison
Exeter vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Exeter scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Exeter
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
24% lower than in Exeter.
Housing costs are a major driver: Exeter's average rent is
71% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Exeter | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,138 | +71% |
| Groceries | $480 | $404 | +19% |
| Utilities | $210 | $194 | +8% |
| Transport | $130 | $312 | -58% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $226 | +6% |
| Monthly Total | $3,010 | $2,274 | +32% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Exeter offers 42% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Exeter delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Exeter is estimated at
$68,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Exeter | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $68,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,102 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $95,400 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Exeter runs warmer on average — a 49.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Exeter comes out ahead with 254 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Exeter sees 37.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Exeter | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 49.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 16.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 40.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 37.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 254 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to Exeter.
Exeter scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Exeter leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Exeter | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Exeter.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Exeter has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Exeter | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 16,285 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 44.2 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Exeter
Advantages
Exceptional local school district anchored by renowned public schools and private institutions like Phillips Exeter Academy.
Extremely low crime rates and high overall community safety profile compared to national averages.
Direct Amtrak Downeaster rail service connecting the town directly to Boston and Portland.
Picturesque, historic downtown featuring vibrant local dining, shopping, and Squamscott River waterfront access.
Proximity to the New Hampshire seacoast and White Mountains, offering world-class outdoor recreation.
Drawbacks
Significantly higher-than-average housing costs and competitive real estate market conditions.
Heavy reliance on personal vehicles for daily commuting and errands outside the walkable core.
High local property tax burdens typical of many New Hampshire municipalities.
Limited rental housing inventory, making it challenging for younger or lower-income residents to find apartments.
Cold, snowy winter weather requiring high household heating expenditures.
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.
Exeter
#267New Hampshire, USA
62.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
254/yr
Avg Temp
49.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.10%
Livability
84
Business
74
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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