City Comparison
Napier vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Napier scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Napier
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Napier.
Housing costs are a major driver: Napier's average rent is
45% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Napier | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,138 | +45% |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +4% |
| Utilities | $170 | $194 | -12% |
| Transport | $110 | $312 | -65% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $226 | +2% |
| Monthly Total | $2,580 | $2,274 | +13% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Napier offers 5% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Napier delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Napier is estimated at
$50,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Napier | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,043 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $61,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Napier runs warmer on average — a 59.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Napier comes out ahead with 248 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Napier sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Napier | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 59.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 57.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 57.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 38.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 248 | |
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Napier.
Napier scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Napier leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Napier | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Napier is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Napier is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Binghamton has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Napier | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 66,600 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 41.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Napier
Advantages
Enjoy one of the highest annual sunshine totals in New Zealand, averaging over 2,400 hours of sun per year.
World-renowned Art Deco architecture provides a unique, highly walkable, and visually striking city center.
Proximity to world-class Hawke's Bay wineries and vineyards offering exceptional local food and wine experiences.
Lower median property purchase costs compared to major metropolitan centers like Auckland and Wellington.
Strong community safety profile and relaxed coastal lifestyle ideal for families and retirees.
Drawbacks
Regional job market is heavily seasonal, particularly around agricultural and horticultural harvest periods.
Public transportation options outside of peak hours are limited, maintaining high car dependency.
Susceptibility to weather events and seismic activity, given the region's geographical history.
Rental vacancy rates can experience tight compression during peak tourism and harvest influxes.
Distance from major international air hubs requires domestic connections for global travel.
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.
Napier
#38Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
62.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
248/yr
Avg Temp
59.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
82
Business
68
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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