City Comparison
Maricopa vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Maricopa scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Maricopa
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
17% lower than in Maricopa.
Housing costs are a major driver: Maricopa's average rent is
58% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Maricopa | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,799 | $1,138 | +58% |
| Groceries | $400 | $404 | -1% |
| Utilities | $180 | $194 | -7% |
| Transport | $120 | $312 | -62% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $226 | +2% |
| Monthly Total | $2,729 | $2,274 | +20% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Maricopa offers 18% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Maricopa delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Maricopa is estimated at
$55,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Maricopa | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,421 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $96,391 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Maricopa runs warmer on average — a 74.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Maricopa comes out ahead with 329 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Maricopa sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Maricopa | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 74.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 106.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 43.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 9.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 329 | |
| Humidity | 25.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
10,500 minutes (175 hours) per year compared to Maricopa.
Maricopa 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 | Maricopa | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 37 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 40.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Maricopa is the larger city
— approximately 1.8x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Maricopa 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 | Maricopa | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,372 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 5.12% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.30% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Maricopa
Advantages
Median home property values (~$377,200) remain substantially more affordable than nearby Phoenix and East Valley housing markets.
Consistently ranks among the top 10 safest cities in Arizona according to recent safety reports and municipal data.
Features a young, highly diverse population with top-rated diverse school districts in the greater region.
Strong homeownership rate exceeding 80%, providing stable, master-planned suburban neighborhoods.
Rapidly expanding local retail, dining, and commercial developments reducing the need to travel for daily necessities.
Drawbacks
Heavy reliance on State Route 347 creates long commute times and traffic bottleneck concerns during peak hours.
Extreme summer high temperatures exceeding 106°F restrict outdoor daytime activities for several months.
Limited public transit infrastructure makes car ownership mandatory for all daily tasks and employment commuting.
Scarcity of major local high-tech or corporate employment hubs requires long-distance commuting or remote work.
High summer electricity utility costs required to maintain home cooling during prolonged heatwaves.
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.
Maricopa
#42Arizona, USA
71.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,799
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
37 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
40.0/100
Sunny Days
329/yr
Avg Temp
74.10°F
Pop. Growth
5.12%
Unemployment
5.30%
Livability
75
Business
67
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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