City Comparison
Little Rock vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Little Rock scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Little Rock
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Little Rock is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in Binghamton.
| Metric | Little Rock | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,200 | $1,138 | +5% |
| Groceries | $400 | $404 | -1% |
| Utilities | $180 | $194 | -7% |
| Transport | $110 | $312 | -65% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $226 | +2% |
| Monthly Total | $2,120 | $2,274 | -7% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Little Rock offers 5% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Little Rock delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Little Rock is estimated at
$48,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Little Rock | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $57,980 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,146 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $63,003 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Little Rock runs warmer on average — a 65.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Little Rock comes out ahead with 255 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Little Rock sees 10.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Little Rock | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 92.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 35.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 46.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 10.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 255 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Little Rock.
Little Rock 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 | Little Rock | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Little Rock is the larger city
— approximately 4.4x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Little Rock | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,427 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.41% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Little Rock
Advantages
Cost of living runs roughly 11% below the U.S. national average per BEA and regional economic data.
Median home values are significantly lower than the national median, offering high housing accessibility.
Abundant outdoor recreation access, including Pinnacle Mountain State Park and the Arkansas River Trail.
Thriving healthcare sector anchored by major institutions like UAMS and Baptist Health.
Shorter average commute times compared to major U.S. metropolitan areas.
Drawbacks
Property crime rates in certain parts of the city remain higher than the national median.
Public transportation options are limited, resulting in high car dependency for daily commutes.
Summer high temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with notable humidity levels.
Poverty rates in specific urban core neighborhoods remain higher than state and national benchmarks.
Local average wages trail behind major coastal economic hubs.
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.
Little Rock
#380Arkansas, USA
59.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,200
Avg Salary
$57,980
Cost Index
89
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
65.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.41%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
74
Business
68
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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