City Comparison
Louisville vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Louisville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Louisville
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Louisville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Louisville's average rent is
10% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Louisville | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,138 | +10% |
| Groceries | $380 | $404 | -6% |
| Utilities | $175 | $194 | -10% |
| Transport | $110 | $312 | -65% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $226 | +2% |
| Monthly Total | $2,145 | $2,274 | -6% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Louisville offers 13% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Louisville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Louisville is estimated at
$48,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Louisville | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,391 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $65,200 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Louisville runs warmer on average — a 57.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Louisville comes out ahead with 238 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Louisville sees 18.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Louisville | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 86.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 26.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 52.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 18.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 238 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Louisville.
Louisville 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 | Louisville | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 49.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Louisville is the larger city
— approximately 13.5x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Louisville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Louisville | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 633,045 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.30% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Louisville
Advantages
Median home prices in Louisville remain roughly 15% below the national average per Redfin 2024 data.
World-class healthcare infrastructure anchored by major regional networks like Norton Healthcare.
Extensive public park system designed by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted.
Thriving culinary and craft beverage culture recognized internationally for bourbon and dining.
Strategic geographic location serving as a major logistics and shipping hub with the UPS Worldport.
Drawbacks
Public transit options are limited primarily to bus routes, resulting in high car dependency outside the urban core.
Certain urban neighborhoods experience higher rates of property and violent crime per local police department data.
Property tax rates and homeowners insurance costs have seen upward pressure in recent years.
Summer humidity and seasonal allergy index rankings frequently challenge allergy sufferers.
State-level legislative dynamics can sometimes conflict with progressive municipal governance priorities.
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.
Louisville
#299Kentucky, USA
61.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
49.0/100
Sunny Days
238/yr
Avg Temp
57.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.30%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
76
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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