City Comparison
Idaho Falls vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Idaho Falls scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Idaho Falls
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Idaho Falls is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Idaho Falls's average rent is
19% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Idaho Falls | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,138 | +19% |
| Groceries | $380 | $404 | -6% |
| Utilities | $165 | $194 | -15% |
| Transport | $110 | $312 | -65% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $226 | -3% |
| Monthly Total | $2,225 | $2,274 | -2% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Idaho Falls offers 31% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Idaho Falls delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Idaho Falls is estimated at
$52,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Idaho Falls | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 77,419 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $74,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Idaho Falls runs warmer on average — a 49.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Idaho Falls comes out ahead with 289 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Idaho Falls sees 30.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Idaho Falls | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 49.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 86.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 18.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 12.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 30.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 289 | |
| Humidity | 55.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Idaho Falls 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 | Idaho Falls | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Idaho Falls is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Idaho Falls is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Idaho Falls has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Idaho Falls | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 66,838 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Idaho Falls
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain below the national average per recent US Census and Zillow data.
Exceptional career opportunities in nuclear research, engineering, and clean energy via the Idaho National Laboratory.
Unmatched access to outdoor recreation, including the Snake River Greenbelt and proximity to Yellowstone National Park.
Consistently low crime rates and high community safety ratings compared to major US metropolitan areas.
Abundant and low-cost utility rates driven by regional hydroelectric and renewable energy infrastructure.
Drawbacks
Winters are long, cold, and snowy, requiring adaptation to severe driving conditions and sub-freezing temperatures.
Limited commercial flight options out of Idaho Falls Regional Airport frequently require layovers or driving to Salt Lake City.
Public transportation options are sparse, making a personal vehicle an absolute necessity for daily life.
Rapid regional growth has placed upward pressure on housing inventory and rental availability.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options compared to larger metropolitan hubs.
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.
Idaho Falls
#42Idaho, USA
71.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
93
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
289/yr
Avg Temp
49.20°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
77
Business
72
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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