City Comparison
Kent vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Kent scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Kent
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
22% lower than in Kent.
Housing costs are a major driver: Kent's average rent is
71% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Kent | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,138 | +71% |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +4% |
| Utilities | $190 | $194 | -2% |
| Transport | $130 | $312 | -58% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $226 | +6% |
| Monthly Total | $2,930 | $2,274 | +29% |
| Cost Index | 112 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Kent offers 38% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Kent delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Kent is estimated at
$65,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Kent | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $76,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,857 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $89,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Kent runs warmer on average — a 53.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Kent comes out ahead with 231 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Kent sees 14.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Kent | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 77.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 34.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 53.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 14.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 231 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,500 minutes (125 hours) per year compared to Kent.
Kent 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 | Kent | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 54.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Kent is the larger city
— approximately 2.9x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Kent | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,588 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Kent
Advantages
Median home prices in Kent remain noticeably more affordable than in neighboring Seattle and Bellevue per Zillow 2025 data.
Exceptional ethnic and cultural diversity reflected in the city's vibrant local restaurant and community festival scene.
Strategic location in the Green River Valley with major industrial and logistics employment hubs.
Robust public transit access including the Sounder commuter train at Kent Station.
Abundant outdoor recreation opportunities featuring the Green River Trail and close proximity to Mount Rainier.
Drawbacks
Peak-hour traffic congestion along State Route 167 and major valley arterials can lead to frustrating commutes.
Overall cost of living sits above the national average due to regional King County housing pressures.
Property crime rates in certain commercial and valley districts are higher than the national average per FBI crime data.
Rainy and overcast Pacific Northwest winters limit outdoor activity for several months of the year.
Rental vacancy rates can be tight, driving up competitive pricing for apartments.
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.
Kent
#447Washington, USA
55.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
112
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
54.0/100
Sunny Days
231/yr
Avg Temp
53.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
72
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Kent and Binghamton.
Open Cost Calculator