City Comparison
Opunake vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Opunake scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Opunake
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Opunake is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Binghamton.
| Metric | Opunake | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $1,138 | -3% |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +4% |
| Utilities | $160 | $194 | -18% |
| Transport | $130 | $312 | -58% |
| Healthcare | $180 | $226 | -20% |
| Monthly Total | $1,990 | $2,274 | -12% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 13% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Opunake delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Opunake is estimated at
$42,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Opunake | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 54,545 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $52,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Opunake runs warmer on average — a 58.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Opunake comes out ahead with 191 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Opunake sees 0.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Opunake | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 58.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 56.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 58.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 66.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 191 | |
| Humidity | 78.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Opunake scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Opunake leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Opunake | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 72.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 22.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
.
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 | Opunake | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,450 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 44.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Opunake
Advantages
Median home purchase prices remain significantly more affordable than New Zealand's major urban centers per Stats NZ data
Exceptional air quality and proximity to both pristine surf beaches and Egmont National Park
Strong community safety with near-zero violent crime rates reported by New Zealand Police
Relaxed, small-town coastal lifestyle with minimal traffic congestion and noise pollution
Growing remote-work infrastructure allowing professionals to enjoy rural living with global connectivity
Drawbacks
Limited public transportation network requires heavy reliance on personal vehicle ownership
Distance from major metropolitan hubs means specialized medical and retail services require travel to New Plymouth
High annual rainfall of 66.7 inches can lead to damp winter months and wet outdoor conditions
Limited local employment variety outside of agriculture, tourism, and essential retail
Narrower range of secondary and tertiary educational institutions directly within town limits
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.
Opunake
#19New Plymouth, New Zealand
66.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
72.0/100
Sunny Days
191/yr
Avg Temp
58.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
79
Business
65
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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