Performance
Score Breakdown
Moscow
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Moscow is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
41% lower compared to Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Moscow's average rent is
18% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Moscow | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,338 | $1,138 | +18% |
| Groceries | $0 | $404 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $194 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $312 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $226 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,338 | $2,274 | -41% |
| Cost Index | 111 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Moscow offers 38% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Moscow delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Moscow is estimated at
$84,360 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Moscow | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $76,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $84,360 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,468 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $57,022 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Moscow | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Moscow 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 | Moscow | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 14 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/10 | 33.0/10 |
| Walkability | 48.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Moscow.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Moscow has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Moscow | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,286 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 25.7 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.00% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Moscow
Advantages
High walkability score of 48, making many errands accessible on foot.
Short average commute time of 14.3 minutes, significantly below the national average.
Strong presence of the University of Idaho contributes to a vibrant cultural scene and job market.
Crime rates have seen a significant decrease, with violent crime rates well below the national average.
Rental prices are relatively affordable compared to national averages, despite a higher cost of living than the Idaho average.
Drawbacks
Median household income ($57,022) is below the national average.
Cost of living is 11% higher than the national average.
Limited public transit options contribute to a medium car dependency.
Job growth rate of 0.167% is modest.
Median age of 25.7 is significantly younger than the national average, which may not appeal to all demographics.
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.
Moscow
#14Idaho, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,338
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
111
Commute
14 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
48.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
87
Business
65
Binghamton
#106New York, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,138
Avg Salary
$55,000
Cost Index
110
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
33.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
68
Business
60
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