City Comparison
Manchester vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Manchester scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Manchester
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Manchester.
Housing costs are a major driver: Manchester's average rent is
36% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Manchester | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,550 | $1,138 | +36% |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +4% |
| Utilities | $175 | $194 | -10% |
| Transport | $115 | $312 | -63% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $226 | +6% |
| Monthly Total | $2,500 | $2,274 | +10% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Manchester offers 29% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Manchester delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Manchester is estimated at
$58,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Manchester | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $71,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,608 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $78,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Manchester runs warmer on average — a 50.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Manchester comes out ahead with 253 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Manchester sees 23 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Manchester | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 19.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 42.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 23.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 253 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Manchester.
Manchester 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 | Manchester | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Manchester is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Manchester | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,498 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Manchester
Advantages
Median home prices and average rents are more affordable compared to neighboring Hartford suburbs like Glastonbury and West Hartford per Zillow 2024 data.
Abundant outdoor recreation options, including the popular Case Mountain hiking and conservation area.
Strong commuter accessibility via direct access to Interstate 84 and Interstate 384.
Rich historical identity anchored by the Cheney Brothers Silk Historic District.
Major commercial and retail hub status featuring the Buckland Hills shopping district.
Drawbacks
Property tax rates in Hartford County can be relatively high for homeowners.
Certain major commuter corridors experience heavy traffic congestion during peak morning and evening rush hours.
Public transit options outside of primary bus lines are somewhat limited, maintaining a reliance on personal vehicles.
Winters bring substantial snowfall and freezing temperatures common to the New England region.
Older housing stock in historic districts may require frequent maintenance and energy-efficiency updates.
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.
Manchester
#387Connecticut, USA
58.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,550
Avg Salary
$71,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
253/yr
Avg Temp
50.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
75
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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