City Comparison
Gilbert vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Gilbert scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Gilbert
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
32% lower than in Gilbert.
Housing costs are a major driver: Gilbert's average rent is
111% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Gilbert | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,400 | $1,138 | +111% |
| Groceries | $400 | $404 | -1% |
| Utilities | $180 | $194 | -7% |
| Transport | $120 | $312 | -62% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $226 | -3% |
| Monthly Total | $3,320 | $2,274 | +46% |
| Cost Index | 104 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Gilbert offers 36% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Gilbert delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Gilbert is estimated at
$65,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Gilbert | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $75,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 72,115 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $122,551 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Gilbert runs warmer on average — a 75.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Gilbert comes out ahead with 330 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Gilbert sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Gilbert | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 75.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 106.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 47.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 13.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 330 | |
| Humidity | 30.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Gilbert.
Gilbert 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 | Gilbert | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Gilbert is the larger city
— approximately 6.1x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Gilbert is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Gilbert has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Gilbert | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 287,285 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Gilbert
Advantages
Median household income exceeds $122,000, reflecting a prosperous local economy per U.S. Census Bureau data.
Consistently ranked among the safest large towns and cities in the United States.
Exceptional public school system performance paired with high educational attainment rates.
Vibrant Heritage District offering diverse dining, shopping, and community events.
Abundant outdoor recreation infrastructure, including the Riparian Preserve and extensive trail networks.
Drawbacks
Summer high temperatures regularly exceed 100°F for multiple consecutive months.
High cost of living and housing prices relative to the national average and broader state figures.
Significant car dependency with limited public mass transit options.
Rapid development is steadily reducing remaining vacant land and open desert spaces.
Traffic congestion during peak hours along major arterial 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.
Gilbert
#44Arizona, USA
71.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,400
Avg Salary
$75,000
Cost Index
104
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
330/yr
Avg Temp
75.90°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
85
Business
78
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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