City Comparison
Madison vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Madison scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Madison
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Madison.
Housing costs are a major driver: Madison's average rent is
45% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Madison | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,138 | +45% |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +4% |
| Utilities | $175 | $194 | -10% |
| Transport | $110 | $312 | -65% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $226 | +2% |
| Monthly Total | $2,585 | $2,274 | +14% |
| Cost Index | 104 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Madison offers 29% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Madison delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Madison is estimated at
$58,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Madison | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $71,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,269 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $79,100 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Madison runs warmer on average — a 48.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Madison comes out ahead with 257 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Madison sees 27.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Madison | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 48.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 13.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 29.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 27.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 257 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Madison.
Madison scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Madison leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Madison | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Madison is the larger city
— approximately 5.8x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Madison is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Madison has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Madison | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 269,840 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 31.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Madison
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the top U.S. cities for bicycling and walkability per datausa.io
Thriving job market with low unemployment driven by tech, biotech, and education
Exceptional outdoor recreation access with five lakes and over 200 public parks
World-class healthcare infrastructure anchored by UW Health and major regional medical centers
Vibrant cultural, culinary, and arts scene highlighted by the historic Dane County Farmers' Market
Drawbacks
Competitive housing market with rising rent and home purchase costs per Zillow 2024 data
Cold and snowy winter climate averaging over 27 inches of annual snowfall
Isthmus geography creates natural traffic bottlenecks during peak commuting hours
Higher overall cost of living compared to the Wisconsin state average
High rental demand driven by university enrollment puts pressure on off-campus housing
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.
Madison
#186Wisconsin, USA
64.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$71,000
Cost Index
104
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
257/yr
Avg Temp
48.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
83
Business
75
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Madison and Binghamton.
Open Cost Calculator