City Comparison
Fargo vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fargo scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fargo
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fargo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
13% lower than in Binghamton.
| Metric | Fargo | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $1,138 | -3% |
| Groceries | $380 | $404 | -6% |
| Utilities | $175 | $194 | -10% |
| Transport | $110 | $312 | -65% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $226 | -3% |
| Monthly Total | $1,985 | $2,274 | -13% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fargo offers 11% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Fargo delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fargo is estimated at
$48,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Fargo | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,304 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $71,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Fargo runs warmer on average — a 44.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Fargo comes out ahead with 270 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Fargo sees 30.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fargo | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 44.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 78.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 1.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 28.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 30.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 270 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Fargo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Fargo leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fargo | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fargo is the larger city
— approximately 2.9x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Fargo is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Fargo has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fargo | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,859 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 33.8 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fargo
Advantages
Fargo's median home price remains below the national average per 2024 housing data, offering high housing affordability.
The local unemployment rate stays consistently below the national average, supported by a diverse and resilient economy.
Fargo features short average commute times of under 20 minutes, significantly better than the US average.
The presence of Sanford Health and Essentia Health makes Fargo a premier regional hub for top-tier healthcare services.
A thriving downtown and vibrant arts community provide an active cultural lifestyle unusual for a city of its size.
Drawbacks
Fargo experiences harsh, freezing winters with heavy snowfall and sub-zero temperatures.
Public transit options are limited outside of core urban and campus areas, creating strong car dependency.
Heating and utility costs spike significantly during prolonged winter cold snaps.
Property tax rates in Cass County can be higher relative to home values compared to some other regions.
The local labor market can experience shortages in specialized technical and healthcare roles.
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.
Fargo
#49North Dakota, USA
70.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$61,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
270/yr
Avg Temp
44.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
2.50%
Livability
77
Business
72
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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