City Comparison
Hooksett vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Hooksett scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hooksett
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
29% lower than in Hooksett.
Housing costs are a major driver: Hooksett's average rent is
98% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Hooksett | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,250 | $1,138 | +98% |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +4% |
| Utilities | $180 | $194 | -7% |
| Transport | $130 | $312 | -58% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $226 | +6% |
| Monthly Total | $3,220 | $2,274 | +42% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Hooksett offers 42% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Hooksett delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Hooksett is estimated at
$62,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Hooksett | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 72,222 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $101,053 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Hooksett runs warmer on average — a 48.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Hooksett comes out ahead with 249 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Hooksett sees 38.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Hooksett | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 48.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 14.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 42.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 38.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,500 minutes (108 hours) per year compared to Hooksett.
Hooksett 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 | Hooksett | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Hooksett.
From a growth perspective, Hooksett is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Hooksett has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Hooksett | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,876 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.68% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hooksett
Advantages
Median household income stands strong at over $101,000 per year per U.S. Census Bureau data.
Strategic location along Interstate 93 provides effortless commutes to Concord and Manchester.
Low crime rates and dedicated full-time municipal police and fire protection services.
No general state broad-based income or sales tax in New Hampshire, enhancing take-home pay.
High homeownership rate of 72.5% reflecting a stable, invested residential community.
Drawbacks
Average home values exceed $532,000, creating affordability hurdles for first-time buyers.
Average rental prices around $2,250 per month strain tighter household budgets.
High car dependency with limited public transit options for daily commuters.
Property tax burdens can be significant due to local municipal and school district funding needs.
An aging regional demographic profile can constrain workforce expansion in select local sectors.
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.
Hooksett
#98New Hampshire, USA
67.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,250
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
48.10°F
Pop. Growth
1.68%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
79
Business
74
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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