City Comparison
Lewes vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lewes scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lewes
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
23% lower than in Lewes.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lewes's average rent is
71% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Lewes | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,138 | +71% |
| Groceries | $460 | $404 | +14% |
| Utilities | $190 | $194 | -2% |
| Transport | $130 | $312 | -58% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $226 | +6% |
| Monthly Total | $2,970 | $2,274 | +31% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lewes offers 24% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Lewes delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Lewes is estimated at
$60,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Lewes | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,627 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $95,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Lewes runs warmer on average — a 57.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Lewes comes out ahead with 248 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lewes sees 19.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lewes | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 29.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 49.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 19.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 248 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Lewes.
Lewes scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Lewes leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Lewes | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Lewes.
From a growth perspective, Lewes is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Lewes has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Lewes | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,312 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 62.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Lewes
Advantages
Pristine coastal access and outdoor recreation at Cape Henlopen State Park
Exceptionally low crime rates and high neighborhood safety profile
Favorable Delaware tax climate with no state sales tax
Charming historic downtown with vibrant local dining and boutique shopping
Strong local healthcare infrastructure anchored by Beebe Healthcare
Drawbacks
High cost of living and expensive coastal housing market compared to national averages
Significant seasonal traffic congestion during peak summer tourism months
Limited rental housing inventory for year-round residents
High vulnerability to coastal storms and sea-level rise considerations
High reliance on automobiles outside of the immediate historic downtown core
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.
Lewes
#160Delaware, USA
64.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
248/yr
Avg Temp
57.10°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
82
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
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