City Comparison
Flaxmere vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Flaxmere scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Flaxmere
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Flaxmere is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
48% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Flaxmere's average rent is
67% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Flaxmere | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $380 | $1,138 | -67% |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +4% |
| Utilities | $160 | $194 | -18% |
| Transport | $130 | $312 | -58% |
| Healthcare | $100 | $226 | -56% |
| Monthly Total | $1,190 | $2,274 | -48% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 13% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Flaxmere delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Flaxmere is estimated at
$42,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Flaxmere | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 54,545 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $52,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Flaxmere runs warmer on average — a 58.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Flaxmere comes out ahead with 262 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Flaxmere sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Flaxmere | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 58.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 56.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 56.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 32.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 262 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Flaxmere.
Flaxmere scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Flaxmere leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Flaxmere | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Flaxmere.
From a growth perspective, Flaxmere 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 | Flaxmere | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,500 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Flaxmere
Advantages
Housing affordability is notably higher in Flaxmere compared to major New Zealand metropolitan centers.
Abundant sunshine and a pleasant maritime climate characteristic of the Hawke's Bay region.
Strong community spirit and rich cultural diversity, particularly strong Māori heritage and community networks.
Proximity to world-class Hawke's Bay wineries, cycling trails, and outdoor recreation areas.
Short commuting distances to employment centers in Hastings and Napier.
Drawbacks
Higher reliance on private motor vehicles due to limited local rapid transit options.
Property crime rates have historically been higher than the national median, requiring active community vigilance.
Fewer high-paying corporate headquarters locally, requiring commuting for certain professional career paths.
General retail and entertainment amenities within the immediate suburb are more limited compared to central Hastings.
Vulnerability to regional economic fluctuations tied to seasonal agricultural and horticultural cycles.
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.
Flaxmere
#47Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
58.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$380
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
262/yr
Avg Temp
58.30°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
5.10%
Livability
72
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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