City Comparison
Horace vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Horace scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Horace
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in Horace.
Housing costs are a major driver: Horace's average rent is
27% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Horace | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,138 | +27% |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +4% |
| Utilities | $175 | $194 | -10% |
| Transport | $130 | $312 | -58% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $226 | +6% |
| Monthly Total | $2,415 | $2,274 | +6% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Horace offers 42% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Horace delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Horace is estimated at
$58,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Horace | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 79,592 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $115,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Horace runs warmer on average — a 44.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Horace comes out ahead with 272 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Horace sees 30.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Horace | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 44.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 1.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 29.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 30.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 272 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Horace.
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 | Horace | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 35.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Horace.
From a growth perspective, Horace is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Horace has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Horace | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,433 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 8.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Horace
Advantages
Rapid population and community growth with modern, newly constructed housing developments.
Exceptionally low crime rates and a secure environment ideal for raising families.
Direct proximity to Fargo's major employers, healthcare systems, and cultural amenities.
High median household incomes well above the national and state averages.
Active local park district and family-oriented community programming.
Drawbacks
High car dependency with limited public transportation options within city limits.
Severe winter weather conditions with prolonged sub-zero temperatures and snowfall.
Limited local commercial and entertainment options directly within Horace proper.
Rising housing and property values driven by rapid suburban expansion.
Flat regional geography with limited natural topographic diversity.
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.
Horace
#5North Dakota, USA
77.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
35.0/100
Sunny Days
272/yr
Avg Temp
44.60°F
Pop. Growth
8.50%
Unemployment
2.50%
Livability
82
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
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