City Comparison
Fishers vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fishers scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fishers
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
13% lower than in Fishers.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fishers's average rent is
45% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Fishers | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,138 | +45% |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +4% |
| Utilities | $175 | $194 | -10% |
| Transport | $130 | $312 | -58% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $226 | +2% |
| Monthly Total | $2,605 | $2,274 | +15% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fishers offers 42% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Fishers delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fishers is estimated at
$62,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Fishers | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 72,222 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $115,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Fishers runs warmer on average — a 53.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Fishers comes out ahead with 237 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Fishers sees 19.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fishers | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 83.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 20.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 38.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 19.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 237 | |
| 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 Fishers.
Fishers scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Binghamton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fishers | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fishers is the larger city
— approximately 2.2x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Fishers is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Fishers has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fishers | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 104,909 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fishers
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the safest cities in Indiana with exceptionally low crime rates per FBI reporting.
Hamilton Southeastern Schools and other local districts are top-rated statewide for academic performance.
Thriving technology and entrepreneurial ecosystem supported by the Indiana IoT Lab and local business incubators.
Extensive parks and recreation infrastructure, including the Nickel Plate Trail and Geist Reservoir access.
Vibrant downtown Nickel Plate District featuring dining, shopping, and regular community events.
Drawbacks
Housing costs and overall cost of living sit noticeably above the Indiana state average.
High degree of car dependency for daily commuting and errands outside of the central district.
Increasing traffic congestion along major thoroughfares during peak morning and evening commute hours.
Property tax rates in Hamilton County reflect high local service funding but add to homeownership costs.
Limited traditional public mass transit options connecting directly to broader regional employment hubs.
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.
Fishers
#40Indiana, USA
71.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
237/yr
Avg Temp
53.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
88
Business
80
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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