City Comparison
La Barca vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
La Barca scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
La Barca
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
La Barca is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
67% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: La Barca's average rent is
69% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | La Barca | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $350 | $1,138 | -69% |
| Groceries | $200 | $404 | -50% |
| Utilities | $65 | $194 | -66% |
| Transport | $50 | $312 | -84% |
| Healthcare | $80 | $226 | -65% |
| Monthly Total | $745 | $2,274 | -67% |
| Cost Index | 38 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 87% lower 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 La Barca is estimated at
$6,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | La Barca | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $7,200 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $6,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 18,947 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $9,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
La Barca runs warmer on average — a 68.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, La Barca comes out ahead with 256 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — La Barca sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | La Barca | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 68.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 50.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 30.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 256 | |
| Humidity | 60.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to La Barca.
La Barca scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, La Barca leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | La Barca | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
La Barca is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, La Barca is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, La Barca has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | La Barca | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 65,000 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
La Barca
Advantages
Significantly lower cost of living and housing prices compared to major Mexican and US cities.
Rich cultural heritage, historic architecture, and vibrant community traditions.
Abundant sunshine and a pleasant year-round climate averaging over 250 sunny days.
Strategic location in Jalisco with accessible transport links to larger regional urban centers.
Authentic small-town lifestyle with strong local markets and community safety.
Drawbacks
Limited local high-tech and corporate job opportunities requiring commuting for specialized careers.
Advanced healthcare services require travel to larger nearby cities like Guadalajara.
Public transportation infrastructure is limited compared to major metropolitan areas.
Economic reliance on agriculture and localized trade can fluctuate with regional conditions.
Limited English proficiency among the general population may pose challenges for non-Spanish speakers.
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.
La Barca
#68Jalisco, Mexico
76.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$350
Avg Salary
$7,200
Cost Index
38
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
256/yr
Avg Temp
68.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
72
Business
60
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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