City Comparison
Nicholasville vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Nicholasville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Nicholasville
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Nicholasville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Nicholasville's average rent is
10% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Nicholasville | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,138 | +10% |
| Groceries | $380 | $404 | -6% |
| Utilities | $175 | $194 | -10% |
| Transport | $110 | $312 | -65% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $226 | -3% |
| Monthly Total | $2,135 | $2,274 | -6% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Nicholasville offers 5% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Nicholasville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Nicholasville is estimated at
$48,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Nicholasville | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,043 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $61,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Nicholasville runs warmer on average — a 56.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Nicholasville comes out ahead with 231 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Nicholasville sees 19.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Nicholasville | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 25.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 56.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 19.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 231 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Nicholasville.
Nicholasville 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 | Nicholasville | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Nicholasville.
From a growth perspective, Nicholasville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Nicholasville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Nicholasville | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 34,500 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Nicholasville
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain more affordable than nearby Lexington and the national average (Census Bureau / Zillow 2024)
Convenient location just south of Lexington provides easy access to major metropolitan employment and cultural amenities
Low crime rates and family-friendly neighborhoods create a secure environment for residents (FBI Uniform Crime Reporting 2024)
Strong sense of community with local parks, annual festivals, and a revitalized historic downtown district
Steady job market with growing sectors in advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and retail trade
Drawbacks
High car dependency with limited public transportation options within the city
Traffic congestion during peak hours along the main US-27 commercial corridor
Housing inventory can be tight during peak buying seasons due to high regional demand
Limited nightlife and entertainment options compared to larger nearby urban centers
Pollen and seasonal allergy levels can be high due to the lush Bluegrass flora and agricultural surroundings
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.
Nicholasville
#120Kentucky, USA
66.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
231/yr
Avg Temp
56.40°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
76
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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