City Comparison
Mason City vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Mason City scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Mason City
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mason City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
27% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Mason City's average rent is
25% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Mason City | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,138 | -25% |
| Groceries | $350 | $404 | -13% |
| Utilities | $160 | $194 | -18% |
| Transport | $100 | $312 | -68% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $226 | -7% |
| Monthly Total | $1,670 | $2,274 | -27% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 4% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Mason City delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Mason City is estimated at
$42,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Mason City | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $53,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,634 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $54,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Mason City runs warmer on average — a 48.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Mason City comes out ahead with 252 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Mason City sees 31.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Mason City | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 48.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 78.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 11.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 40.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 31.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 252 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Mason City 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 | Mason City | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Mason City.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Mason City has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Mason City | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 27,338 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Mason City
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living are significantly below the national average per US Census and Zillow data.
Home to world-famous Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, including the Historic Park Inn Hotel.
MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center provides top-tier regional healthcare access directly within the city.
Short average commute times and minimal traffic congestion enhance daily convenience.
Strong local cultural institutions like the MacNider Art Museum and active community arts programming.
Drawbacks
Winters feature low temperatures averaging 11.3°F with notable snowfall, requiring cold-weather preparedness.
Public transportation options are limited, creating a high reliance on personal automobiles.
Slower population growth compared to booming metropolitan centers in the US.
Limited high-paying tech or corporate headquarters sectors compared to larger state capitals.
Distance from major major metropolitan hubs like Minneapolis or Des Moines for specialized entertainment.
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.
Mason City
#176Iowa, USA
64.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$53,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
252/yr
Avg Temp
48.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
74
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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