City Comparison
New Orleans vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
New Orleans scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
New Orleans
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 Orleans.
Housing costs are a major driver: New Orleans's average rent is
45% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | New Orleans | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,138 | +45% |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +4% |
| Utilities | $185 | $194 | -5% |
| Transport | $115 | $312 | -63% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $226 | +6% |
| Monthly Total | $2,610 | $2,274 | +15% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
New Orleans offers 11% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, New Orleans delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in New Orleans is estimated at
$52,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | New Orleans | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,542 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $56,631 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
New Orleans runs warmer on average — a 71.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, New Orleans comes out ahead with 217 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — New Orleans sees 4.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | New Orleans | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 71.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 89.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 49.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 53.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 4.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 217 | |
| Humidity | 76.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to New Orleans.
New Orleans scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, New Orleans leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | New Orleans | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
New Orleans is the larger city
— approximately 7.7x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton 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 | New Orleans | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 362,154 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 38.8 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
New Orleans
Advantages
Average rent in New Orleans is approximately $1,650 per month, remaining below major coastal US metro averages per Zillow 2026 data.
Over 42% of adult residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, reflecting a well-educated urban population per U.S. Census Bureau ACS data.
World-renowned culinary, music, and festival culture provides an unmatched daily quality of life and entertainment landscape.
Highly walkable and bike-friendly historic neighborhoods like Uptown and the French Quarter reduce daily car dependency.
Major robust healthcare and higher education anchors like Ochsner Health and Tulane University drive stable regional employment.
Drawbacks
Violent and property crime rates remain higher than the national average, requiring vigilant safety precautions per municipal data.
Property and homeowner insurance costs in coastal Louisiana are among the highest in the nation due to hurricane and flood risks.
Summer temperatures and high humidity levels create prolonged periods of intense heat from June through September.
Poverty rate sits at 22.6%, highlighting economic disparities within parts of the city per U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts.
Infrastructure challenges, including street maintenance and localized urban drainage issues, require ongoing municipal management.
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 Orleans
#563Louisiana, USA
47.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$61,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
217/yr
Avg Temp
71.40°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.50%
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between New Orleans and Binghamton.
Open Cost Calculator