City Comparison
Kahului vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Kahului scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Kahului
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
34% lower than in Kahului.
Housing costs are a major driver: Kahului's average rent is
93% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Kahului | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,200 | $1,138 | +93% |
| Groceries | $550 | $404 | +36% |
| Utilities | $250 | $194 | +29% |
| Transport | $150 | $312 | -52% |
| Healthcare | $300 | $226 | +33% |
| Monthly Total | $3,450 | $2,274 | +52% |
| Cost Index | 165 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Kahului offers 24% 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 Kahului is estimated at
$65,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Kahului | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 41,212 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $82,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Kahului runs warmer on average — a 78°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Kahului comes out ahead with 330 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Kahului sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Kahului | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 78.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 69.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 6.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 330 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Kahului.
Kahului scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Kahului | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 55.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Kahului.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Binghamton has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Kahului | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,264 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Kahului
Advantages
Median home price and rental options are supported by structured master-planned communities like Maui Lani.
Proximity to Kahului Airport and Kahului Harbor provides unmatched logistical connectivity for the island of Maui.
Abundant outdoor recreation access, including windsurfing and beach parks directly adjacent to the town.
Serves as the commercial and healthcare center of Maui County with major hospital and retail infrastructure.
Warm year-round climate with consistent sunshine and minimal annual rainfall.
Drawbacks
Significantly high cost of living compared to the US national average, driven by island import expenses.
Heavy reliance on automobiles with localized traffic congestion during peak commuting hours.
Limited housing inventory leading to high competitive pressure for buyers and renters.
Vulnerability to extreme weather events and tropical storms inherent to Pacific island geography.
High electricity and utility costs relative to the mainland United States.
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.
Kahului
#571Hawaii, USA
46.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,200
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
165
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
330/yr
Avg Temp
78.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
73
Business
67
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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