Performance
Score Breakdown
Houston
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
42% higher compared to Houston.
Housing costs are a major driver: Houston's average rent is
58% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Houston | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $1,138 | +58% |
| Groceries | $682 | $404 | +69% |
| Utilities | $253 | $194 | +30% |
| Transport | $348 | $312 | +12% |
| Healthcare | $141 | $226 | -38% |
| Monthly Total | $3,224 | $2,274 | +42% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Houston offers 37% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Houston delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Houston is estimated at
$69,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Houston | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $75,200 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $69,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 80,860 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $97,458 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Houston | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Houston.
Houston 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 | Houston | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 36.0/10 | 33.0/10 |
| Walkability | 49.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 180.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Houston is the larger city
— approximately 49.6x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Houston is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Houston has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Houston | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,319,119 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.60% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Houston
Advantages
The cost of living in Houston is 6% lower than the national average, making it a budget-friendly major city.
Houston's job market is projected to add 75,000 new jobs in 2025, with strong growth in healthcare, energy, and professional services.
Violent crime rates in Houston saw significant declines between 2024 and 2025, with homicides dropping by 17%.
The city is a major hub for healthcare, home to the Texas Medical Center, offering high-quality medical services.
Houston exhibits a strong entrepreneurial climate, with a 92% rise in small business account applications from 2024 to 2025.
Drawbacks
Houston's overall crime rate remains high compared to many other U.S. communities, with a 1 in 17 chance of being a victim of violent or property crime in 2024.
Summers in Houston are characterized by oppressive heat and high humidity, with average daily highs above 89°F from June to September.
The city experiences significant traffic congestion, leading to a high car dependency and an average commute time of 28 minutes.
Houston's walkability and transit scores are relatively low, making it challenging to get around without a car.
While the metro area is growing, population growth within the city of Houston itself slowed significantly in 2025.
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.
Houston
#58Texas, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$75,200
Cost Index
93
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
36.0/10
Walkability
49.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.60%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
68
Business
72
Binghamton
#100New York, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,138
Avg Salary
$55,000
Cost Index
110
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
33.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
68
Business
60
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