City Comparison
Lacey vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lacey scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lacey
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
15% lower than in Lacey.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lacey's average rent is
54% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Lacey | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,138 | +54% |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +4% |
| Utilities | $170 | $194 | -12% |
| Transport | $110 | $312 | -65% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $226 | +6% |
| Monthly Total | $2,690 | $2,274 | +18% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lacey offers 24% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Lacey delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Lacey is estimated at
$58,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Lacey | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $78,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Lacey runs warmer on average — a 53.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Lacey comes out ahead with 239 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lacey sees 5.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lacey | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 77.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 36.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 45.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 5.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 239 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to Lacey.
Lacey 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 | Lacey | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Lacey is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Lacey is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Lacey | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,370 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Lacey
Advantages
Proximity to state capital Olympia and Joint Base Lewis-McChord provides a stable regional economy per Washington ESD.
Abundant outdoor recreation options including local parks, lakes, and proximity to the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge.
Family-friendly neighborhoods with highly rated local schools and active community programs.
More affordable housing options compared to major urban centers like Seattle and Tacoma.
High percentage of sunny days (239 days) relative to Western Washington's typical overcast reputation.
Drawbacks
Growing traffic congestion along major corridors like Interstate 5 during peak commuting hours per WSDOT data.
Increasing housing costs and rental rates driven by regional population influx per Zillow market reports.
Limited public transit rail options, maintaining high car dependency across the municipality.
Cool and damp winter season with frequent rain despite sunny summer months.
Competitive job market for specific corporate and tech roles outside of government and healthcare sectors.
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.
Lacey
#228Washington, USA
63.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
239/yr
Avg Temp
53.50°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
76
Business
70
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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