City Comparison
Milwaukee vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Milwaukee scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Milwaukee
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in Milwaukee.
Housing costs are a major driver: Milwaukee's average rent is
27% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Milwaukee | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,138 | +27% |
| Groceries | $400 | $404 | -1% |
| Utilities | $180 | $194 | -7% |
| Transport | $90 | $312 | -71% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $226 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $2,320 | $2,274 | +2% |
| Cost Index | 94 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Milwaukee offers 18% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Milwaukee delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Milwaukee is estimated at
$52,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Milwaukee | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,149 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $62,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Milwaukee runs warmer on average — a 48.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Milwaukee comes out ahead with 262 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Milwaukee sees 29.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Milwaukee | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 48.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 15.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 29.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 29.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 262 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Milwaukee.
Milwaukee scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Milwaukee leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Milwaukee | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 61.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Milwaukee is the larger city
— approximately 12.3x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Milwaukee | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,000 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Milwaukee
Advantages
Median home prices remain significantly lower than the national average per Zillow data.
Thriving cultural scene featuring numerous summer festivals and world-class museums.
Robust healthcare infrastructure anchored by major medical centers like Froedtert Hospital.
Shorter average commute times of around 22 minutes compared to most major US metropolitan areas.
Scenic lakefront access with miles of public parks, beaches, and recreational trails.
Drawbacks
Winters feature cold temperatures and notable snowfall averaging around 29.1 inches annually.
Property tax rates in Wisconsin can place a heavier tax burden on homeowners.
Public transit scores trail behind larger transit-heavy metros, making cars helpful for daily transit.
Certain urban neighborhoods experience higher-than-average crime rates requiring vigilant safety awareness.
State income tax brackets can be relatively high for middle- and upper-income earners.
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.
Milwaukee
#376Wisconsin, USA
59.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
94
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
61.0/100
Sunny Days
262/yr
Avg Temp
48.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.10%
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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