City Comparison
Glendale vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Glendale scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Glendale
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
21% lower than in Glendale.
Housing costs are a major driver: Glendale's average rent is
71% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Glendale | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,138 | +71% |
| Groceries | $400 | $404 | -1% |
| Utilities | $180 | $194 | -7% |
| Transport | $120 | $312 | -62% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $226 | +2% |
| Monthly Total | $2,880 | $2,274 | +27% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Glendale offers 13% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Glendale delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Glendale is estimated at
$55,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Glendale | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,265 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $73,530 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Glendale runs warmer on average — a 76.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Glendale comes out ahead with 322 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Glendale sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Glendale | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 76.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 105.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 49.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 14.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 322 | |
| Humidity | 35.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Glendale.
Glendale 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 | Glendale | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 40.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Glendale is the larger city
— approximately 5.5x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Glendale 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 | Glendale | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 258,121 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Glendale
Advantages
Median household income stands at a healthy $73,530 per recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
World-class entertainment and sports venues like State Farm Stadium anchor a thriving local tourism economy.
Abundant sunshine averaging 322 sunny days per year supports an active outdoor lifestyle.
Proximity to major higher education institutions like Midwestern University and Glendale Community College.
Active municipal investments in the Westgate Entertainment District drive ongoing commercial growth.
Drawbacks
Extreme summer heat with high temperatures regularly exceeding 105°F requires high seasonal energy expenditures.
High car dependency limits walkability and places heavy reliance on regional freeway networks.
Poverty rate of roughly 15.1% highlights economic disparities across certain neighborhoods.
Rising rental and housing costs have pressured affordability for lower-income households.
Ozone and particulate air quality can occasionally decline during peak summer stagnation periods.
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.
Glendale
#333Arizona, USA
60.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
40.0/100
Sunny Days
322/yr
Avg Temp
76.40°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
75
Business
70
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 Glendale and Binghamton.
Open Cost Calculator