City Comparison
Mesquite vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Mesquite scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Mesquite
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Mesquite.
Housing costs are a major driver: Mesquite's average rent is
36% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Mesquite | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,550 | $1,138 | +36% |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +4% |
| Utilities | $175 | $194 | -10% |
| Transport | $130 | $312 | -58% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $226 | +6% |
| Monthly Total | $2,515 | $2,274 | +11% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Mesquite offers 6% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Mesquite delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Mesquite is estimated at
$52,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Mesquite | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,500 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,938 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $64,200 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Mesquite runs warmer on average — a 71.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Mesquite comes out ahead with 335 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Mesquite sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Mesquite | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 71.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 104.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 42.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 6.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 335 | |
| Humidity | 28.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Binghamton 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 | Mesquite | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 16 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 22.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 34.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Mesquite.
From a growth perspective, Mesquite 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 | Mesquite | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,800 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.40% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 57.2 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Mesquite
Advantages
Nevada has no state personal income tax, maximizing take-home pay and retirement income per Census Bureau data.
Mesquite features 335 days of sunshine annually, ideal for outdoor activities and golf enthusiasts.
Property crime rates remain significantly lower than the national average, per FBI crime data.
Median home prices in Mesquite remain more affordable compared to neighboring metropolitan areas like Las Vegas and Salt Lake City.
Proximity to world-class natural attractions, including Zion National Park and the Virgin River Gorge.
Drawbacks
Extreme summer temperatures frequently exceed 100°F, restricting midday outdoor activity from June through August.
The local economy is heavily dependent on hospitality and tourism, limiting career diversity for non-hospitality professionals.
Public transportation is virtually nonexistent, making a car an absolute necessity for all daily activities.
Specialized medical care requires travel to Las Vegas or St. George, Utah, for advanced treatments.
Rapid population growth has put upward pressure on housing inventory and rental availability per Zillow housing market reports.
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.
Mesquite
#153Nevada, USA
65.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,550
Avg Salary
$58,500
Cost Index
96
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
22.0/100
Walkability
34.0/100
Sunny Days
335/yr
Avg Temp
71.20°F
Pop. Growth
2.40%
Unemployment
5.20%
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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