City Comparison
Fairfield vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fairfield scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fairfield
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
36% lower than in Fairfield.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fairfield's average rent is
111% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Fairfield | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,400 | $1,138 | +111% |
| Groceries | $500 | $404 | +24% |
| Utilities | $210 | $194 | +8% |
| Transport | $150 | $312 | -52% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $226 | +24% |
| Monthly Total | $3,540 | $2,274 | +56% |
| Cost Index | 138 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fairfield offers 67% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Fairfield delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fairfield is estimated at
$85,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Fairfield | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $92,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $85,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $165,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Fairfield runs warmer on average — a 53°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Fairfield comes out ahead with 248 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Fairfield sees 20.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fairfield | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 24.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 43.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 20.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 248 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
8,000 minutes (133 hours) per year compared to Fairfield.
Fairfield scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Fairfield leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fairfield | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fairfield is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Fairfield has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fairfield | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,512 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fairfield
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the safest municipalities in Connecticut with crime rates well below the national average per FBI crime data 2024.
Features five miles of scenic Long Island Sound coastline, including popular public beaches like Jennings and Penfield per Town of Fairfield records.
Excellent public school district with high graduation rates and strong college preparatory programs per Connecticut State Department of Education 2024.
Direct commuter access to New York City via multiple Metro-North Railroad stations on the New Haven Line per MTA data.
Vibrant downtown commercial district offering diverse dining, boutique shopping, and cultural venues per Fairfield Chamber of Commerce.
Drawbacks
Significantly higher cost of living and housing expenses compared to the national average per Zillow and C2ER data 2024.
High local property taxes driven by premium real estate values and municipal services per Town of Fairfield tax assessor records.
Peak-hour traffic congestion along Interstate 95 and the Post Road during standard commuter rush hours per CTDOT.
Competitive housing market with limited inventory for first-time buyers and renters per local real estate market reports 2024.
High cost of childcare and private education options within the local market per regional family resource data.
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.
Fairfield
#389Connecticut, USA
58.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,400
Avg Salary
$92,000
Cost Index
138
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
248/yr
Avg Temp
53.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
89
Business
78
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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