City Comparison
Layton vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Layton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Layton
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in Layton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Layton's average rent is
27% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Layton | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,138 | +27% |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +4% |
| Utilities | $175 | $194 | -10% |
| Transport | $130 | $312 | -58% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $226 | +6% |
| Monthly Total | $2,415 | $2,274 | +6% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Layton offers 25% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Layton delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Layton is estimated at
$58,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Layton | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,500 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,898 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $88,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Layton runs warmer on average — a 52.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Layton comes out ahead with 297 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Layton sees 53.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Layton | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 89.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 20.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 22.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 53.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 297 | |
| Humidity | 52.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Layton.
Layton 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 | Layton | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Layton is the larger city
— approximately 1.8x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Layton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Layton has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Layton | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 83,445 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 2.90% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Layton
Advantages
Proximity to Hill Air Force Base provides a stable and high-paying employment base in aerospace and defense.
Direct access to the UTA FrontRunner commuter rail offers convenient transit to Salt Lake City and Ogden.
Low crime rates and safe neighborhoods make it an ideal location for raising families.
Abundant outdoor recreation opportunities with immediate access to the Wasatch Mountains and local parks.
Strong school district performance and educational resources within Davis County.
Drawbacks
Housing affordability has declined due to rapid population growth and rising home prices along the Wasatch Front.
High reliance on automobiles leads to traffic congestion on Interstate 15 during peak commuting hours.
Winter inversions can occasionally trap particulate matter in the valley, affecting local air quality.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options compared to nearby Salt Lake City.
Property tax adjustments and municipal costs rising in response to rapid suburban expansion.
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.
Layton
#75Utah, USA
69.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$68,500
Cost Index
98
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
297/yr
Avg Temp
52.50°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
2.90%
Livability
79
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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