City Comparison
Lawton vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lawton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lawton
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Lawton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
20% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lawton's average rent is
17% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Lawton | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,138 | -17% |
| Groceries | $380 | $404 | -6% |
| Utilities | $170 | $194 | -12% |
| Transport | $110 | $312 | -65% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $226 | -3% |
| Monthly Total | $1,830 | $2,274 | -20% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 6% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Lawton delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Lawton is estimated at
$42,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Lawton | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $51,500 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,805 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $54,200 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Lawton runs warmer on average — a 64.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Lawton comes out ahead with 292 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lawton sees 3.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lawton | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 64.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 90.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 32.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 36.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 3.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 292 | |
| Humidity | 62.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
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 | Lawton | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 32.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 36.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Lawton is the larger city
— approximately 1.9x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Lawton | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 90,305 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 32.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Lawton
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living sit significantly below the U.S. national average per Census and Zillow data.
Proximity to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge offers world-class outdoor recreation, hiking, and wildlife viewing minutes from town.
Short average commute times of under 20 minutes reduce daily stress compared to major metropolitan areas.
Strong institutional economic stability anchored by Fort Sill and major regional healthcare providers.
Welcoming community atmosphere with rich Native American heritage and diverse cultural events.
Drawbacks
High car dependency with limited public transit infrastructure across the metropolitan area.
Local job market can be overly reliant on federal and military spending cycles.
Summers experience prolonged stretches of high temperatures exceeding 90°F.
Property crime rates in certain central urban districts require standard preventative awareness.
Limited high-end entertainment and nightlife options compared to larger Oklahoma cities like OKC or Tulsa.
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.
Lawton
#259Oklahoma, USA
62.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$51,500
Cost Index
82
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
32.0/100
Walkability
36.0/100
Sunny Days
292/yr
Avg Temp
64.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
72
Business
67
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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