City Comparison
Mountain Home vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Mountain Home scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Mountain Home
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mountain Home is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Mountain Home's average rent is
10% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Mountain Home | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,138 | +10% |
| Groceries | $380 | $404 | -6% |
| Utilities | $175 | $194 | -10% |
| Transport | $115 | $312 | -63% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $226 | +2% |
| Monthly Total | $2,150 | $2,274 | -5% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Mountain Home offers 5% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Mountain Home delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Mountain Home is estimated at
$48,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Mountain Home | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,043 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $59,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Mountain Home runs warmer on average — a 55.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Mountain Home comes out ahead with 296 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Mountain Home sees 22.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Mountain Home | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 89.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 29.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 15.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 22.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 296 | |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Mountain Home.
Mountain Home 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 | Mountain Home | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Mountain Home.
From a growth perspective, Mountain Home is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Mountain Home has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Mountain Home | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 15,000 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Mountain Home
Advantages
Significantly lower housing costs and overall cost of living compared to nearby Boise and the national average
Strong local economy anchored by the Mountain Home Air Force Base providing career stability
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities nearby, including fishing, boating at CJ Strike Reservoir, and mountain access
Low crime rates and a safe, family-friendly community atmosphere
Easy access to metropolitan amenities in Boise via a convenient drive on Interstate 84
Drawbacks
Limited public transportation infrastructure, resulting in high car dependency
Extreme summer high temperatures typical of the high desert climate
Fewer local entertainment, dining, and cultural options compared to larger cities
Economic reliance on the military installation can create unique housing market fluctuations
Limited local higher education institutions within 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.
Mountain Home
#150Idaho, USA
65.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
296/yr
Avg Temp
55.90°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.80%
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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