City Comparison
Mishawaka vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Mishawaka scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Mishawaka
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mishawaka is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
14% lower than in Binghamton.
| Metric | Mishawaka | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,050 | $1,138 | -8% |
| Groceries | $390 | $404 | -3% |
| Utilities | $175 | $194 | -10% |
| Transport | $115 | $312 | -63% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $226 | +2% |
| Monthly Total | $1,960 | $2,274 | -14% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Mishawaka offers 2% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Mishawaka delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Mishawaka is estimated at
$48,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Mishawaka | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $56,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,870 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $54,291 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Mishawaka runs warmer on average — a 50.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Mishawaka comes out ahead with 240 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Mishawaka sees 40.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Mishawaka | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 18.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 37.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 40.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 240 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Mishawaka.
Mishawaka 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 | Mishawaka | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 53.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 41.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Mishawaka is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Mishawaka has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Mishawaka | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 51,021 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.27% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 36.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Mishawaka
Advantages
Median home prices and overall living costs remain significantly more affordable than the national average.
Extensive outdoor recreation is available via the scenic Riverwalk trail system along the St. Joseph River.
Proximity to the University of Notre Dame provides easy access to major collegiate sports, arts, and cultural events.
Strategic Midwestern location offers rapid highway access to Chicago, Indianapolis, and the Michigan border.
Comprehensive local healthcare infrastructure is anchored by the modern Franciscan Health Mishawaka facility.
Drawbacks
Winters feature heavy lake-effect snowfall, requiring active municipal snow removal and winter driving preparedness.
Public transit options are limited outside of main bus routes, resulting in high car dependency for daily commutes.
Local median household income trails state and national benchmarks, constraining broader wage growth.
Poverty rates in select older urban residential pockets slightly exceed national averages.
Retail-heavy corridors like Grape Road experience notable traffic congestion during peak holiday and weekend shopping hours.
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.
Mishawaka
#305Indiana, USA
61.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,050
Avg Salary
$56,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
53.0/100
Sunny Days
240/yr
Avg Temp
50.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.27%
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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