City Comparison
New Castle vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
New Castle scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
New Castle
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
13% lower than in New Castle.
Housing costs are a major driver: New Castle's average rent is
45% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | New Castle | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,138 | +45% |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +4% |
| Utilities | $175 | $194 | -10% |
| Transport | $115 | $312 | -63% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $226 | +6% |
| Monthly Total | $2,600 | $2,274 | +14% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
New Castle offers 24% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, New Castle delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in New Castle is estimated at
$54,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | New Castle | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $54,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,388 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $65,400 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
New Castle runs warmer on average — a 55.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, New Castle comes out ahead with 258 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — New Castle sees 12.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | New Castle | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 25.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 42.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 12.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 258 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to New Castle.
New Castle scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, New Castle leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | New Castle | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of New Castle.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, New Castle has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | New Castle | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,585 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 41.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
New Castle
Advantages
One of the best-preserved colonial historic districts in the United States
Scenic waterfront parks and walking trails along the Delaware River
Favorable proximity to Wilmington, Philadelphia, and major Interstate corridors
Moderate property taxes compared to surrounding Mid-Atlantic states
Active community events, farmers markets, and historical festivals throughout the year
Drawbacks
High reliance on automobile transportation for daily commuting outside the historic core
Limited new large-scale housing inventory within the historic district boundaries
Vulnerability to coastal weather events and occasional river flooding near low-lying areas
Traffic congestion along major regional arteries during peak rush hours
Higher demand driving competitive real estate pricing in desirable historic pockets
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.
New Castle
#313Delaware, USA
60.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
258/yr
Avg Temp
55.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
78
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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