City Comparison
Olathe vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Olathe scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Olathe
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Olathe.
Housing costs are a major driver: Olathe's average rent is
27% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Olathe | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,138 | +27% |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +4% |
| Utilities | $175 | $194 | -10% |
| Transport | $115 | $312 | -63% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $226 | +6% |
| Monthly Total | $2,400 | $2,274 | +6% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Olathe offers 35% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Olathe delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Olathe is estimated at
$58,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Olathe | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $74,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 75,510 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $95,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Olathe runs warmer on average — a 56.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Olathe comes out ahead with 255 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Olathe sees 17.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Olathe | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 21.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 42.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 17.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 255 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Olathe.
Olathe 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 | Olathe | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 38.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Olathe is the larger city
— approximately 3x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Olathe is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Olathe has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Olathe | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 142,385 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Olathe
Advantages
Olathe consistently ranks among the safest cities in Kansas with violent and property crime rates well below the national average per FBI crime data.
The Olathe Public Schools (USD 233) district is highly rated statewide, offering exceptional educational outcomes and modern facilities.
The city features over 30 public parks, extensive trail systems, and community lakes providing abundant outdoor recreation opportunities.
Strategic location along Interstate 35 provides seamless commuting and logistics access across the entire Kansas City metropolitan area.
A thriving local economy with strong job growth in technology, logistics, and healthcare sectors.
Drawbacks
High reliance on automobiles makes public transit options limited for those who prefer not to drive.
Property taxes in Kansas can be relatively high compared to some competing states, impacting overall homeownership costs.
Housing inventory for first-time buyers can experience tight competition due to high regional demand.
Warm and humid summer conditions can occasionally limit comfortable outdoor daytime activities during peak heat waves.
Suburban sprawl in newer western developments can result in longer local errand commutes.
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.
Olathe
#40Kansas, USA
71.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$74,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
38.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
56.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.10%
Livability
83
Business
76
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 Olathe and Binghamton.
Open Cost Calculator