City Comparison
Hazleton vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Hazleton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hazleton
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
17% lower than in Hazleton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Hazleton's average rent is
19% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Hazleton | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,138 | +19% |
| Groceries | $400 | $404 | -1% |
| Utilities | $349 | $194 | +80% |
| Transport | $360 | $312 | +15% |
| Healthcare | $293 | $226 | +30% |
| Monthly Total | $2,752 | $2,274 | +21% |
| Cost Index | 101 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 10% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Binghamton delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Hazleton is estimated at
$45,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Hazleton | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $49,688 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 49,196 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $46,177 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Hazleton | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 69.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Hazleton.
Binghamton 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 | Hazleton | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 25.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Hazleton.
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 | Hazleton | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,657 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.31% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 7.40% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hazleton
Advantages
Median home sale price increased by 13.3% year-over-year as of June 2026, indicating a growing housing market.
Housing costs are significantly lower than the national average, making it more affordable to live.
Violent crime rates are below the U.S. average, contributing to a safer community environment.
The city has a positive job growth rate of 2.56% from June 2025 to June 2026.
Pennsylvania ranks among the top states for new business survival, suggesting a supportive entrepreneurial climate.
Drawbacks
Unemployment rate in Hazleton was 7.40% in June 2026, higher than the national average.
Utility prices are estimated to be 15% higher than the national average.
Transportation expenses are 13% higher than the national average, and car dependency is high.
A significant portion of Hazleton families (25.0%) live in poverty.
Conflicting data on cost of living index makes overall affordability assessment challenging.
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.
Hazleton
#516Pennsylvania, USA
51.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$49,688
Cost Index
101
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
25.0/100
Walkability
30.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.31%
Unemployment
7.40%
Livability
72
Business
65
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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