City Comparison
Muncie vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Muncie scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Muncie
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Muncie is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
24% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Muncie's average rent is
25% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Muncie | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,138 | -25% |
| Groceries | $380 | $404 | -6% |
| Utilities | $170 | $194 | -12% |
| Transport | $110 | $312 | -65% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $226 | -7% |
| Monthly Total | $1,720 | $2,274 | -24% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 5% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Muncie delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Muncie is estimated at
$42,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Muncie | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,905 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $45,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Muncie runs warmer on average — a 52.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Muncie comes out ahead with 239 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Muncie sees 20.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Muncie | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 19.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 37.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 20.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 239 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Muncie 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 | Muncie | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Muncie is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Muncie has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Muncie | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 65,132 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Muncie
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living are significantly lower than the national average per US Census and Zillow data.
Presence of Ball State University brings cultural events, art galleries, and Division I athletics to the local community.
Extensive outdoor recreation opportunities via the Cardinal Greenway trail system.
Short average commute times with minimal traffic congestion compared to larger metro areas.
Robust healthcare infrastructure anchored by IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital.
Drawbacks
Violent and property crime rates in certain neighborhoods exceed national averages.
Local median household incomes lag behind the national average.
Limited high-paying career opportunities outside of healthcare, education, and light manufacturing.
Winters can be cold and snowy, typical of the central Indiana climate.
Public transit options are limited outside of core bus routes and university shuttles.
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.
Muncie
#483Indiana, USA
53.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
84
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
239/yr
Avg Temp
52.40°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
69
Business
64
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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