City Comparison
Lake Oswego vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lake Oswego scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lake Oswego
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Lake Oswego is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
18% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lake Oswego's average rent is
64% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Lake Oswego | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,866 | $1,138 | +64% |
| Groceries | $0 | $404 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $194 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $312 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $226 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,866 | $2,274 | -18% |
| Cost Index | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lake Oswego offers 54% higher average salaries.
| Metric | Lake Oswego | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $84,859 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $45,000 |
| Household Income | $141,549 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Lake Oswego runs warmer on average — a 55°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Lake Oswego comes out ahead with 225 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lake Oswego sees 12.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lake Oswego | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 36.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 54.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 12.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 225 | |
| Humidity | % | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Lake Oswego.
Binghamton 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 | Lake Oswego | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | — | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | — | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Lake Oswego.
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 | Lake Oswego | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 39,495 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.60% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 46.7 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.00% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Lake Oswego
Advantages
Lake Oswego has a violent crime rate of 0.7 per 1,000 residents, roughly one-fifth of the national average, making it a very safe city.
The median household income in Lake Oswego was $141,549 in 2024, significantly higher than the national average.
Lake Oswego boasts a highly educated population, with 74.8% of persons aged 25 years and over holding a bachelor's degree or higher as of 2024.
The city offers a high quality of life with abundant parks, lake access, and a strong community spirit.
Lake Oswego's median home price of $974,750 in October 2026, while high, indicates a strong and desirable real estate market.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Lake Oswego is notably higher than both the national and Portland metro averages, primarily driven by housing costs.
The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Lake Oswego is $1,866 per month, which is above the national average.
Property crime in Lake Oswego, while below the state average, is slightly above the national average.
Rental supply in Lake Oswego is thin due to the city's ownership-oriented nature, making finding rental properties challenging.
Oregon's overall economic activity has been declining, and unemployment is rising at a faster pace than the U.S. average, which could impact the local economy.
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.
Lake Oswego
#68Oregon, USA
69.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,866
Avg Salary
$84,859
Cost Index
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
225/yr
Avg Temp
55.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.60%
Unemployment
5.00%
Livability
85
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Lake Oswego and Binghamton.
Open Cost Calculator