City Comparison
Honolulu vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Honolulu scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Honolulu
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 Honolulu.
Housing costs are a major driver: Honolulu's average rent is
93% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Honolulu | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,200 | $1,138 | +93% |
| Groceries | $520 | $404 | +29% |
| Utilities | $210 | $194 | +8% |
| Transport | $140 | $312 | -55% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $226 | +24% |
| Monthly Total | $3,350 | $2,274 | +47% |
| Cost Index | 170 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Honolulu offers 29% higher 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 Honolulu is estimated at
$75,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Honolulu | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $71,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $75,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 41,765 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $92,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Honolulu runs warmer on average — a 76.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Honolulu comes out ahead with 244 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Honolulu sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Honolulu | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 76.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 67.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 20.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 244 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Honolulu.
Honolulu scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Honolulu leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Honolulu | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 54.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 56.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Honolulu is the larger city
— approximately 7.3x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Honolulu has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Honolulu | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 343,200 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Honolulu
Advantages
Year-round tropical climate with average temperatures around 76.5°F and abundant sunshine.
World-class outdoor recreation including pristine beaches, surfing spots, and scenic mountain hiking trails.
Extremely low rates of violent crime compared to mainland U.S. metropolitan areas of similar size.
Diverse and vibrant multicultural community centered around the unique Aloha spirit.
Serves as the economic, educational, and advanced healthcare hub of the entire Pacific region.
Drawbacks
Significantly higher cost of living and housing expenses than the national U.S. average.
Heavy traffic congestion during peak commuting hours on major island thoroughfares.
High utility and grocery costs driven by the logistical challenges of island importation.
Limited geographic expansion space for housing, contributing to severe real estate supply constraints.
Vulnerability to extreme weather events, sea-level rise, and natural climate disruptions.
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.
Honolulu
#540Hawaii, USA
49.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,200
Avg Salary
$71,000
Cost Index
170
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
54.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
244/yr
Avg Temp
76.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
78
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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