City Comparison
Lovington vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lovington scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lovington
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Lovington is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Binghamton.
| Metric | Lovington | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,138 | +1% |
| Groceries | $380 | $404 | -6% |
| Utilities | $175 | $194 | -10% |
| Transport | $110 | $312 | -65% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $226 | +2% |
| Monthly Total | $2,045 | $2,274 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lovington offers 5% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Lovington delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Lovington is estimated at
$45,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Lovington | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,909 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $54,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Lovington runs warmer on average — a 64.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Lovington comes out ahead with 321 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lovington sees 0.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lovington | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 64.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 91.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 33.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 8.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 321 | |
| Humidity | 42.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 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 | Lovington | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Lovington.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Binghamton has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Lovington | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,682 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Lovington
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain significantly below the U.S. national average per Census and Zillow data.
Robust employment opportunities tied to the lucrative Permian Basin oil and gas industry.
Abundant sunshine averaging over 320 sunny days per year, ideal for outdoor activities.
Short average commute times with minimal traffic congestion compared to metropolitan areas.
Tight-knit community with a strong cultural heritage and active local civic life.
Drawbacks
High dependence on the volatile oil and gas sector can create economic cyclicality.
Extremely limited public transportation options, requiring total car dependency.
Very low annual rainfall (8.1 inches) creates arid conditions and water management challenges.
Limited local entertainment, arts, and major retail options within city limits.
Distance from major metropolitan medical centers for specialized healthcare needs.
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.
Lovington
#359New Mexico, USA
59.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
321/yr
Avg Temp
64.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
68
Business
65
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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