City Comparison
Laurel vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Laurel scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Laurel
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Laurel | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,138 | +19% |
| Groceries | $380 | $404 | -6% |
| Utilities | $175 | $194 | -10% |
| Transport | $140 | $312 | -55% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $226 | +2% |
| Monthly Total | $2,275 | $2,274 | 0% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 13% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Laurel delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Laurel is estimated at
$45,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Laurel | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,174 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $51,200 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Laurel runs warmer on average — a 57°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Laurel comes out ahead with 242 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Laurel sees 20.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Laurel | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 83.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 27.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 46.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 20.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 242 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Laurel.
Laurel 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 | Laurel | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Laurel.
From a growth perspective, Laurel 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 | Laurel | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,200 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Laurel
Advantages
Median home prices and rent are significantly lower than the national average per recent Zillow and Census data.
Rich historic character featuring one of the largest collections of 18th and 19th-century homes in Delaware.
Proximity to natural attractions like Trap Pond State Park and Broad Creek for outdoor recreation.
Convenient driving distance to Delmarva beaches and major employment hubs in Maryland and Delaware.
Tight-knit, family-oriented community atmosphere with active local civic events.
Drawbacks
High car dependency due to limited public transportation infrastructure within the town limits.
Local job market within town is somewhat restricted, requiring commutes for higher-paying professional roles.
Limited local dining and nightlife options directly inside the immediate historic district.
Sussex County property development pressures are beginning to impact local rural aesthetics and traffic on US-13.
Access to specialized medical care requires traveling outside of town to neighboring cities.
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.
Laurel
#327Delaware, USA
60.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
242/yr
Avg Temp
57.00°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
72
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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