City Comparison
Fremont vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fremont scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fremont
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
43% lower than in Fremont.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fremont's average rent is
160% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Fremont | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,957 | $1,138 | +160% |
| Groceries | $450 | $404 | +11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $194 | -7% |
| Transport | $150 | $312 | -52% |
| Healthcare | $270 | $226 | +19% |
| Monthly Total | $4,007 | $2,274 | +76% |
| Cost Index | 156 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fremont offers 82% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Fremont delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fremont is estimated at
$95,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Fremont | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $100,250 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $95,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,263 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $181,506 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Fremont runs warmer on average — a 59.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Fremont comes out ahead with 313 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Fremont sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fremont | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 59.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 75.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 42.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 20.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 313 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,000 minutes (117 hours) per year compared to Fremont.
Fremont scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Fremont leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fremont | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 68.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fremont is the larger city
— approximately 4.8x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Fremont | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 226,442 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 39.1 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fremont
Advantages
Median household income reaches $181,506, significantly outperforming regional and national medians
Fremont accounts for a major share of Silicon Valley advanced manufacturing and AI hardware leasing activity
Consistently ranks among the safest large cities in the United States with low violent crime rates
Home to top-tier educational institutions within the Fremont Unified School District
Extensive park systems and recreational assets including Lake Elizabeth and Central Park
Drawbacks
Median home values exceed $1.4 million, creating steep barriers to entry for prospective homebuyers
Average monthly apartment rent sits around $2,957, running roughly 60% above the U.S. average
High cost of living index significantly exceeding the national average
Severe shortage of industrial electrical capacity and high-end commercial spaces relative to surging corporate demand
Significant highway traffic congestion during peak commuting hours across regional corridors
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.
Fremont
#358California, USA
59.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,957
Avg Salary
$100,250
Cost Index
156
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
313/yr
Avg Temp
59.60°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
82
Business
84
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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