City Comparison
Lakewood vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lakewood scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lakewood
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
17% lower than in Lakewood.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lakewood's average rent is
58% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Lakewood | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,795 | $1,138 | +58% |
| Groceries | $410 | $404 | +1% |
| Utilities | $180 | $194 | -7% |
| Transport | $115 | $312 | -63% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $226 | +2% |
| Monthly Total | $2,730 | $2,274 | +20% |
| Cost Index | 106 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lakewood offers 31% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Lakewood delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Lakewood is estimated at
$60,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Lakewood | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,925 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $89,792 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Lakewood runs warmer on average — a 51.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Lakewood comes out ahead with 277 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lakewood sees 29.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lakewood | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 19.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 18.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 29.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 277 | |
| Humidity | 52.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Lakewood.
Lakewood scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Lakewood leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Lakewood | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 54.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Lakewood is the larger city
— approximately 3.4x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Lakewood has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Lakewood | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,927 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.18% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Lakewood
Advantages
Median household income stands at $89,792, reflecting a strong local economy that outperforms the national average per U.S. Census data.
Exceptional geographic proximity to the Rocky Mountain foothills and Red Rocks Amphitheatre provides unmatched outdoor recreation access.
The RTD W Line light rail system offers fast, direct commuter rail transit into downtown Denver.
Home to major economic anchors like the Denver Federal Center and St. Anthony Level I Trauma Center.
Abundant green spaces featuring over 80 public parks and extensive multi-use trail networks.
Drawbacks
Typical monthly apartment rents average around $1,800, placing financial pressure on lower-income renters.
Property crime rates remain a challenge, reflecting broader metropolitan trends across the Denver area.
Car dependency is high in outer residential neighborhoods despite light rail availability along central corridors.
Traffic congestion peaks heavily along major commuter arteries like U.S. 6 and Interstate 70 during rush hours.
Housing affordability has tightened significantly due to intense regional population growth and high real estate demand.
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.
Lakewood
#372Colorado, USA
59.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,795
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
106
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
54.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
277/yr
Avg Temp
51.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.18%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
80
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
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