Performance
Score Breakdown
Kalamazoo
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Kalamazoo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
8% lower compared to Binghamton.
| Metric | Kalamazoo | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,135 | $1,138 | -0% |
| Groceries | $400 | $404 | -1% |
| Utilities | $180 | $194 | -7% |
| Transport | $120 | $312 | -62% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $226 | +11% |
| Monthly Total | $2,085 | $2,274 | -8% |
| Cost Index | 86 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Kalamazoo offers 18% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Kalamazoo delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Kalamazoo is estimated at
$55,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Kalamazoo | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 75,581 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $52,272 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Kalamazoo | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 72.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Kalamazoo.
Kalamazoo 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 | Kalamazoo | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 39.0/10 | 33.0/10 |
| Walkability | 47.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Kalamazoo is the larger city
— approximately 1.6x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Kalamazoo has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Kalamazoo | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 73,076 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 26.9 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Kalamazoo
Advantages
Kalamazoo offers a cost of living that is 14% lower than the national average, with housing costs being 37% lower.
The average commute time in Kalamazoo is 18.5 minutes, significantly shorter than the national average of 26.4 minutes.
Kalamazoo's downtown area is highly walkable, with a Walk Score of 85, allowing residents to access amenities on foot.
Recent data indicates a positive trend in safety, with violent crime rates showing significant drops in 2024 and reaching 10-year lows in 2025.
The city has a strong presence of major employers in healthcare, education, and manufacturing, providing a stable job market.
Drawbacks
Kalamazoo has a higher crime rate compared to national averages, with a violent crime rate of 1283.5 per 100,000 residents.
The median household income in Kalamazoo ($52,272 in 2024) is lower than the national average.
While improving, Kalamazoo's safety profile is still a concern, with some sources ranking it among the more dangerous small cities in Michigan.
Public transportation options are limited, primarily consisting of bus routes, and the city has a high car dependency.
The unemployment rate in Kalamazoo County was 4.1% in 2024, which is slightly above the national average of 4.198% (though very close).
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.
Kalamazoo
#106Michigan, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,135
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
86
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
39.0/10
Walkability
47.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
74
Business
68
Binghamton
#106New 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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