City Comparison
Kailua vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Kailua scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Kailua
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
55% lower than in Kailua.
Housing costs are a major driver: Kailua's average rent is
233% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Kailua | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $3,790 | $1,138 | +233% |
| Groceries | $600 | $404 | +49% |
| Utilities | $220 | $194 | +13% |
| Transport | $150 | $312 | -52% |
| Healthcare | $300 | $226 | +33% |
| Monthly Total | $5,060 | $2,274 | +123% |
| Cost Index | 175 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Kailua offers 42% 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 Kailua is estimated at
$95,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Kailua | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $95,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 44,571 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $148,582 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Kailua runs warmer on average — a 76.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Kailua comes out ahead with 94 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Kailua sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Kailua | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 76.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 68.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 48.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 94 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,500 minutes (108 hours) per year compared to Kailua.
Kailua scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Kailua leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Kailua | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 62.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Kailua.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Kailua has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Kailua | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 39,640 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.22% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 2.70% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Kailua
Advantages
Median household income stands at a robust $148,582 per year, reflecting a prosperous local economy.
Proximity to world-renowned white-sand beaches like Kailua Beach and Lanikai Beach for daily outdoor recreation.
Maintains a low property crime rate and exceptional community safety compared to larger urban centers.
Vibrant local small-business culture featuring organic farmers' markets, boutique shops, and local dining.
Strong sense of community engagement centered around environmental stewardship and coastal preservation.
Drawbacks
Median home values exceed $1.3M, making homeownership severely cost-prohibitive.
Average monthly rent prices remain extraordinarily high, averaging around $5,695 for available market listings.
High cost of living driven by steep transportation and shipping expenses for everyday consumer goods.
Daily commuter bottlenecks along key mountain pass routes heading into Urban Honolulu.
Limited geographic expansion space restricts new housing development and inventory growth.
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.
Kailua
#470Hawaii, USA
54.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$3,790
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
175
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
94/yr
Avg Temp
76.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.22%
Unemployment
2.70%
Livability
88
Business
68
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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