City Comparison
Flensburg vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Flensburg scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Flensburg
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Flensburg is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
22% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Flensburg's average rent is
17% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Flensburg | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,138 | -17% |
| Groceries | $380 | $404 | -6% |
| Utilities | $220 | $194 | +13% |
| Transport | $55 | $312 | -82% |
| Healthcare | $180 | $226 | -20% |
| Monthly Total | $1,785 | $2,274 | -22% |
| Cost Index | 78 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 13% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Flensburg delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Flensburg is estimated at
$42,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Flensburg | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,538 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $46,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Flensburg runs warmer on average — a 49.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Flensburg comes out ahead with 239 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Flensburg sees 6.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Flensburg | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 49.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 69.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 33.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 31.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 6.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 239 | |
| Humidity | 80.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Flensburg.
Flensburg scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Flensburg leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Flensburg | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 78.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Low | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Flensburg 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 | Flensburg | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,550 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.60% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 41.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 6.80% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Flensburg
Advantages
Significantly lower average housing and rental costs compared to major German cities like Hamburg and Munich.
Unique cross-cultural Danish-German heritage providing a vibrant bilingual and international community atmosphere.
Excellent proximity to the Baltic Sea with extensive maritime recreation, sailing, and coastal nature reserves.
High walkability and extensive cycling infrastructure connecting residential neighborhoods directly to the city center.
Strong educational presence anchored by two universities fostering a young, dynamic, and progressive population.
Drawbacks
Regional wage levels and average salaries trail behind southern and western German economic powerhouses.
Milder job market diversification outside of education, retail, public administration, and specialized maritime sectors.
Cooler, overcast maritime climate with limited peak sunshine hours during the extended winter months.
Tight rental inventory for affordable, modern apartments near the historic city center and waterfront.
Geographic location in the far north of Germany results in longer travel times to major international airports.
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.
Flensburg
#39Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
63.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
78
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
78.0/100
Sunny Days
239/yr
Avg Temp
49.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.60%
Unemployment
6.80%
Livability
83
Business
69
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Flensburg and Binghamton.
Open Cost Calculator