Oak Hill
West Virginia, USA
#117 in USA
65
Overall Score
VS
Binghamton
New York, USA
#117 in USA
65
Overall Score
Both cities score equally

Score Breakdown

Oak Hill
Binghamton
Livability
68
68
Affordability
80
75
Business
55
60
Growth
50
58

Cost of Living

Oak Hill is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately 29% lower compared to Binghamton. Housing costs are a major driver: Oak Hill's average rent is 21% lower than Binghamton's.
MetricOak HillBinghamtonDiff
Average Rent
$897$1,138-21%
Groceries
$350$404-13%
Utilities
$150$194-23%
Transport
$100$312-68%
Healthcare
$120$226-47%
Monthly Total
$1,617$2,274-29%
Cost Index
78110out of 100

Salary & Income

Binghamton offers 48% lower average salaries. However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Binghamton delivers stronger purchasing power — meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day. The minimum comfortable salary in Oak Hill is estimated at $45,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
MetricOak HillBinghamton
Average Salary
$28,806$55,000
Salary Needed
$45,000$45,000
Purchasing Power
36,931 idx50,000 idx
Household Income
$52,466$45,578

Climate Comparison

Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
MetricOak HillBinghamton
Avg Temp
°F°F
Summer High
°F°F
Winter Low
°F°F
Rainfall
in in
Snowfall
in in
Sunny Days
Humidity
75.00%70.00%

Commute & Transport

Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly 6,500 minutes (108 hours) per year compared to Oak Hill. Binghamton 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.
MetricOak HillBinghamton
Commute Time
29 min16 min
Transit Score
1.0/1033.0/10
Walkability
0.0/1055.0/10
Traffic Index
30.0030.00
Car Dependency
HighMedium

Economy & Demographics

Binghamton is the larger city — approximately 0.2x the population of Oak Hill. 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.
MetricOak HillBinghamton
Population
7,93746,773
Pop. Growth
%0.90%
Median Age
41.435.9
Unemployment
8.30%4.30%
GDP
$0.0B$13.0B

Pros & Cons

Oak Hill
Advantages
The violent crime rate in Oak Hill is 44% below the national average, contributing to a sense of safety.
Housing is significantly more affordable than the national average, with a median home value of $118,700 in 2024.
The city offers abundant opportunities for outdoor activities, including white water rafting and hiking, due to its proximity to the New River Gorge.
Oak Hill experienced a positive employment growth rate of 4.63% from 2023 to 2024.
The median rent of $897 in June 2026 is considerably lower than the national average.
Drawbacks
Oak Hill has a high unemployment rate of 8.3% as of March 2026, exceeding the national average.
The city is highly car-dependent, with a Walk Score of 0 and very limited public transit options.
The population is projected to decline by -1.42% annually, indicating a shrinking community.
Some reports suggest overall crime rates are 57% higher than the West Virginia average, despite low violent crime.
The average commute time of 29 minutes is slightly higher than the national average.
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.

Dive Deeper

Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.

Oak Hill
#117
West Virginia, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$897
Avg Salary
$28,806
Cost Index
78
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
1.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
8.30%
Livability
68
Business
55
View Full Profile
Binghamton
#117
New York, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,138
Avg Salary
$55,000
Cost Index
110
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
33.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
68
Business
60
View Full Profile

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