City Comparison
Merlo vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Merlo scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Merlo
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Merlo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
67% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Merlo's average rent is
69% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Merlo | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $350 | $1,138 | -69% |
| Groceries | $200 | $404 | -50% |
| Utilities | $60 | $194 | -69% |
| Transport | $50 | $312 | -84% |
| Healthcare | $80 | $226 | -65% |
| Monthly Total | $740 | $2,274 | -67% |
| Cost Index | 45 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 99% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Binghamton delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Merlo is estimated at
$500 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Merlo | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $650 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $500 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 1,444 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $7,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Merlo runs warmer on average — a 64.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Merlo comes out ahead with 275 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Merlo sees 0.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Merlo | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 64.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 59.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 68.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 44.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 275 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
19,500 minutes (325 hours) per year compared to Merlo.
Merlo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Merlo leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Merlo | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 55 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 65.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 68.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Merlo is the larger city
— approximately 12.4x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Merlo 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 | Merlo | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 580,000 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 32.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 8.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Merlo
Advantages
Housing costs are significantly more affordable than in central Buenos Aires.
Direct commuter rail connectivity via the Sarmiento Line provides access to the capital.
Active local commercial centers and neighborhood markets support daily needs.
Abundant public parks and community sports clubs encourage outdoor recreation.
Strong local community engagement and traditional Argentine neighborhood culture.
Drawbacks
High commuter traffic congestion on major roadways during peak hours.
Property crime and security concerns common to Greater Buenos Aires suburbs.
Economic volatility and inflation impact local purchasing power.
Public infrastructure maintenance varies significantly across different neighborhoods.
Heavy reliance on employment centers outside the immediate city limits.
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.
Merlo
#135Buenos Aires Province, Argentina
57.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$350
Avg Salary
$650
Cost Index
45
Commute
55 min
Transit Score
65.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
275/yr
Avg Temp
64.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
8.50%
Livability
64
Business
58
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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