City Comparison
Kihei vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Kihei scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Kihei
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 Kihei.
Housing costs are a major driver: Kihei's average rent is
93% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Kihei | 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
Kihei offers 13% 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 Kihei is estimated at
$68,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Kihei | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $68,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 37,576 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $82,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Kihei runs warmer on average — a 76.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Kihei comes out ahead with 321 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Kihei sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Kihei | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 76.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 68.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 14.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 321 | |
| Humidity | 62.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Kihei.
Kihei scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Kihei leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Kihei | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Kihei.
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 | Kihei | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,423 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Kihei
Advantages
Enjoyment of 321 sunny days per year with very low annual rainfall of 14.3 inches.
Immediate access to world-class beaches like Kamaole Beach Parks for swimming and snorkeling.
Thriving local culinary and outdoor dining scene stretching along South Kihei Road.
Proximity to the Maui Research and Technology Park supporting local tech and innovation.
Strong sense of community centered around ocean recreation and environmental conservation.
Drawbacks
Significantly high cost of living and housing prices well above the U.S. national average.
Heavy reliance on automobiles with limited public transit frequency across the island.
High electricity and utility rates driven by Hawaii's geographic isolation.
Persistent traffic congestion along South Kihei Road during peak morning and evening hours.
Vulnerability to property crime and vehicle break-ins around high-traffic tourist beaches.
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.
Kihei
#574Hawaii, USA
46.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,200
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
165
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
321/yr
Avg Temp
76.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
78
Business
65
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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