City Comparison
Kennewick vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Kennewick scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Kennewick
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Kennewick.
Housing costs are a major driver: Kennewick's average rent is
36% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Kennewick | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,550 | $1,138 | +36% |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +4% |
| Utilities | $175 | $194 | -10% |
| Transport | $115 | $312 | -63% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $226 | +6% |
| Monthly Total | $2,500 | $2,274 | +10% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Kennewick offers 16% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Kennewick delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Kennewick is estimated at
$52,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Kennewick | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,306 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $71,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Kennewick runs warmer on average — a 57.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Kennewick comes out ahead with 294 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Kennewick sees 6.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Kennewick | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 91.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 32.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 11.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 6.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 294 | |
| Humidity | 52.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Kennewick.
Kennewick 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 | Kennewick | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Kennewick is the larger city
— approximately 1.8x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Kennewick 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 | Kennewick | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,157 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.30% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Kennewick
Advantages
Enjoy approximately 294 sunny days per year, ideal for outdoor recreation.
Affordable cost of living and housing prices compared to coastal Washington cities.
Proximity to the Columbia River offering exceptional boating, fishing, and parks.
Located in the heart of the Columbia Valley wine country with numerous nearby wineries.
Strong local economy driven by healthcare, agriculture, and government sectors.
Drawbacks
Hot and dry summer peak temperatures frequently exceeding 90°F.
High reliance on automobiles with limited public transit options outside core routes.
Limited high-paying tech sector jobs compared to western Washington metros.
Vulnerability to seasonal winds and occasional regional air quality impacts from wildfires.
Growing pains including rising housing and rental costs over recent years.
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.
Kennewick
#261Washington, USA
62.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,550
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
294/yr
Avg Temp
57.90°F
Pop. Growth
1.30%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
75
Business
69
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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