City Comparison
Hastings vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Hastings scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hastings
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Hastings is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Binghamton.
| Metric | Hastings | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,122 | $1,138 | -1% |
| Groceries | $400 | $404 | -1% |
| Utilities | $180 | $194 | -7% |
| Transport | $120 | $312 | -62% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $226 | +11% |
| Monthly Total | $2,072 | $2,274 | -9% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Hastings offers 5% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Hastings delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Hastings is estimated at
$44,880 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Hastings | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $57,554 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $44,880 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,711 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $64,048 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Hastings runs warmer on average — a 53.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Hastings comes out ahead with 284 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Hastings sees 15.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Hastings | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 83.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 18.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 26.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 15.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 284 | |
| Humidity | % | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Hastings 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 | Hastings | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 40.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Hastings.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Hastings has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Hastings | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,008 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.10% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hastings
Advantages
Cost of living is 15% lower than the national average, with housing expenses 27% lower than the national average.
Average commute time is significantly shorter than the national average, around 13.8 to 16.8 minutes.
Violent crime rate is substantially lower than the national average.
Hastings is a regional healthcare center with Mary Lanning Healthcare providing comprehensive services.
Strong agricultural and manufacturing base with established industries like ethanol production and irrigation equipment manufacturing.
Drawbacks
Crime rate is 10% higher than the national average overall, though violent crime is lower.
Walkability and transit scores are low, indicating high car dependency.
A notable percentage of families live below the poverty line (10.2% to 14.3%).
The median household income is lower than the national average.
Climate risk is rated as 'Relatively High' with specific risks like hail and strong winds.
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.
Hastings
#245Nebraska, USA
62.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,122
Avg Salary
$57,554
Cost Index
85
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
40.0/100
Sunny Days
284/yr
Avg Temp
53.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.10%
Unemployment
3.10%
Livability
74
Business
68
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 Hastings and Binghamton.
Open Cost Calculator