City Comparison
Fall River vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fall River scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fall River
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Fall River.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fall River's average rent is
36% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Fall River | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,550 | $1,138 | +36% |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +4% |
| Utilities | $210 | $194 | +8% |
| Transport | $110 | $312 | -65% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $226 | +6% |
| Monthly Total | $2,530 | $2,274 | +11% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fall River offers 5% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Fall River delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fall River is estimated at
$52,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Fall River | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,184 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $53,400 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Fall River runs warmer on average — a 51.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Fall River comes out ahead with 264 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Fall River sees 16.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fall River | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 78.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 22.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 43.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 16.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 264 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to Fall River.
Fall River scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Fall River | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 55.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fall River is the larger city
— approximately 2x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Binghamton has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fall River | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 94,000 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.80% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fall River
Advantages
Median home prices are significantly more affordable than the greater Boston and Providence averages per Zillow 2024 data.
Direct MBTA commuter rail access to Boston improves regional transit connectivity.
Rich cultural heritage featuring renowned Portuguese cuisine, bakeries, and annual festivals.
Strategic coastal location along Mount Hope Bay with proximity to Newport and Cape Cod.
Active downtown revitalization and infrastructure investments fostering local business growth.
Drawbacks
Higher-than-average state utility rates impact monthly household electricity and heating budgets.
Certain urban core neighborhoods experience higher property crime rates than surrounding suburbs.
Public school performance metrics lag behind state averages according to Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Ongoing traffic congestion along major highway arteries during peak commuting hours.
Aging housing stock in older districts may require significant renovation and maintenance investments.
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.
Fall River
#530Massachusetts, USA
50.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,550
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
264/yr
Avg Temp
51.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
5.80%
Livability
71
Business
65
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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